BMW and Toyota team up for hydrogen-powered automotive solutions

ABU DHABI: Toyota and BMW have come together again to advance hydrogen fuel cell technology. They have signed a memorandum of understanding to fulfill their aim to speed up the next-generation zero-emission vehicle development. In 2028, BMW is anticipated to launch its first hydrogen-powered vehicle.

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the world but companies have faced challenges in marketing fuel cell vehicles due to limited fueling infrastructure and declining sales. In early 2024, only 322 units were sold in the US which in comparison to the previous year showcases an 82% drop. Through an advanced collaboration, BMW and Toyota aim to address these challenges, focusing on developing a shared powertrain to reduce cost and standardizing components. They will also come together to build hydrogen fueling stations to deal with infrastructure challenges. In 2012, both automakers initially collaborated on hydrogen vehicles.

With their new partnership, Toyota and BMW will together develop a shared powertrain system that will feature third-generation fuel cells, which they will use for their own passenger vehicles. This complements their existing lineup of plug-in hybrid, battery electric, and internal combustion engine vehicles.

The development of a hydrogen-powered BMW model has not yet been completed, so details are scarce, but it is anticipated that it may be incorporated in its upcoming Neue Klasse lineup, which offers full support to FCEV architecture. Using the shared powertrain Toyota will also come up with its own FCEV lineup.

BMW AG Chairman, Oliver Zipse, hailed the first series of production fuel cell vehicles launched by a premium manufacturer as a milestone in automotive technology. Toyota's Koji Sato talked about the benefits the company is about to reap by collaborating with BMW, focusing on their shared commitment to technological innovation.

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