BMW and Toyota Join Forces to Develop Hydrogen-Powered Electric Vehicles
Key Ideas
- BMW and Toyota are collaborating to introduce hydrogen versions of existing models by 2028.
- The power units for these vehicles will be jointly developed by the two companies.
- Hydrogen cars are targeted at customers without home chargers and those requiring long-distance travel without charging networks.
- BMW views hydrogen cars as complementary to battery electric vehicles, not as competitors.
Germany's BMW and Japan's Toyota have announced a joint venture to develop electric vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells. BMW is set to launch hydrogen versions of existing model lines in 2028, with both companies working on the power units. The focus is on customers without home charging facilities or needing long-range travel options. BMW sees hydrogen cars as a faster refueling alternative to traditional electric vehicles. The companies also plan to build a hydrogen refueling infrastructure. BMW's vice president of hydrogen cars, Michael Rath, emphasizes that hydrogen cars are not meant to replace electric cars but rather complement them. The partnership aims to address the limited hydrogen refueling stations compared to traditional gas and electric charging networks.