BMW has plans to put use a variation of Toyota’s hydrogen-electric fuel cell system in a future model, likely to carry the i5 name. The fuel cell system from Toyota is the same that runs the recently-named Mirai.
According to sources, German carmakers are working to put a hydrogen fuel cell car in the market, since Japanese companies Honda and Toyota have already taken the initiative. The powertrain sharing is the first stage of a BMW-Toyota joint venture aimed at lowering development costs and providing improved economies of scale on advanced alternative drive systems shared between the two manufacturers. A second project, to build a rear-drive sports car platform is also said to be well under way.
BMW’s ‘i’ sub-brand already has the electric i3 hatchback and the petrol-electric hybrid i8 sports car; the introduction of a hydrogen-electric fuel cell-powered i5 will provide it with a trio of alternative-energy vehicles, each offering a different form of propulsion. It will also equip BMW with an answer to a hydrogen fuel cell-powered Mercedes-Benz B-class, which is likely to head into small-scale production, and will be offered to customers through official sales channels in selected markets in 2017. Audi is also expected to reveal a hydrogen-powered A7 at the Los Angeles motor show, suggesting that it is also preparing to jump into the fuel cell fray.
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
