BMW and Toyota to Co-Develop Fuel Cell Technology for Future Production Cars
Key Ideas
- BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation, after previous collaborations, are now teaming up to co-develop fuel cell technology for future production cars.
- BMW's first production-ready FCEV is set to launch in 2028, leveraging the expertise gained from the iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet testing.
- The collaboration aims to expand the range of FCEV options, reduce costs through economies of scale, and integrate the technology into upcoming models.
- BMW's Neue Klasse line-up and Toyota's separate FCEV line-up will both benefit from the joint development, offering customers competitive pricing for the newer technology.
BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation have announced a collaboration to co-develop fuel cell technology for future production cars. While Toyota has had success with the Mirai, BMW's experience has been limited to the iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet. The first BMW production-ready FCEV is expected to debut in 2028, with technical details still scarce as development is in early stages. This joint effort will see the integration of third-generation fuel cells into commercial and passenger vehicles. Both companies plan to expand their FCEV offerings in the coming years, benefitting from economies of scale to reduce costs and provide competitive pricing to customers. BMW's upcoming Neue Klasse line-up will be built on a platform supporting FCEV architecture, with the iX5 Hydrogen fleet already utilizing Toyota's fuel-cell technology. While BMW will release the first production-ready FCEV from the collaboration, Toyota will have its own FCEV line-up, showcasing the diversity of the partnership's outcomes. This move represents a strategic step towards innovative and sustainable automotive technology, promising exciting developments in the near future.