Chronicle of a Failure Predicted? Toyota and BMW Join Forces in Hydrogen Car Development

The future is electric mobility, but some companies haven’t given up yet. hydrogen cars. BMW And ToyotaFor example, they signed a new agreement to speed up the development and production of this type of vehicle, and the German carmaker committed to launching its first hydrogen-powered model in 2028.

The BMW-Toyota alliance does not mean that the companies will jointly produce hydrogen cars. What they will do is create new propulsion system based on this technology, which will be applied to models of both brands in the future. The manufacturers emphasized that the cars on which it is applied will retain their “brand identity and distinctive characteristics.”

Both carmakers stress that this is part of a strategy of technological discovery that complements other alternatives on the path to zero emissions. Whether this is successful or not remains to be seen. Although the prospects do not seem too encouraging, given the history and reality of the car industry.

BMW expands hydrogen car commitment with Toyota

What is most striking about the renewed cooperation between BMW and Toyota on hydrogen vehicle technology, which began in 2012 with a memorandum of understanding and was expanded in 2013 with binding agreements, is that The Germans have already begun the process of electrifying their catalogThe situation is different for the Japanese, who are still one of the few leading global car companies that does not have a clear plan to develop 100% electric vehicles.

With the exception of the electric BZ4X, Toyota has ardently defended its commitment to hybrids and hydrogen vehicles. However, with the latter, the lack of infrastructure for distribution, storage and refueling is a problem for which there is no solution. Added to this is the huge controversy surrounding its very low efficiency compared to electric vehicles. Not to mention the debate over complex and polluting This is the process of extracting hydrogen.

BMW’s first hydrogen model will appear in 2028

BMW has committed to launching its first production hydrogen car in 2028. The company did not provide further details on what type of vehicle it would be or what benefits or features it would offer. The German automaker insists that the model(s) in question will feature a new powertrain it will develop with Toyota.

It is worth remembering that BMW has experimented with hydrogen cars before, but they never got beyond the prototype stage. The manufacturer has specified that it is aiming to include them as another alternative in its catalog. What does this mean? That the goal by 2028 is not to create exclusive models with hydrogen engines. and offer options with this technology for existing machines.

“How FCEV technology [vehículo eléctrico de celda de combustible] — is another electric vehicle technology, the BMW Group clearly sees it as a complement to the powertrain technology used in battery electric vehicles (BEV),” the Germans emphasize. Let’s see how this story continues, but promises to continue to give something to talk about.