Pioneer of the hydrogen automobile with a model presented in 1979, BMW has since moved up a gear. The manufacturer announces a new model which will be marketed from 2025, a strong involvement in the sector and a new production unit welcoming electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles.
In 1979, the manufacturer presented its first prototype, BMW 520h, operating with a thermal engine powered by liquid hydrogen. It is already engaged in thinking about sustainable mobility with the objective, as a historic engine manufacturer, of offering a clean engine. But we had to wait until 2006 to see the BMW Hydrogen7 marketed in small series. A high-end car equipped with a V12 engine, then reserved for key account customers and operating on hybrid gasoline/liquid hydrogen technology. Dual carburetion offering a range of 700 km, with unparalleled combustion management. The technological feat consisted of keeping the hydrogen at −253°C.
Towards the fuel cell
But with a complex security model and without distribution stations available, customer feedback does not meet expectations. Drawing on its experience, the manufacturer then decided to explore hydrogen in gaseous form, combined with a fuel cell and an electric motor. “The pivotal element was our collaboration with Toyota, which began in 2013. Toyota was then working on the first Mirai,” explains Pierre Bedhome, Product and Technology Communication Manager at BMW. Their efforts focused on a new generation heat pump and ours on the gasified hydrogen transmission system. For BMW, the hydrogen car must have the same road qualities as its thermal fuel cars. » In 2015, a small fleet of BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo saw the light of day. But the heat pump takes up a lot of space and can only be fitted to large models. “BMW then made every effort to improve this system and redefine the hydrogen engine with its DNA: to offer a safe, efficient and pleasant car to drive, even with smaller models. » For this, the manufacturer turned to different partners and developed internal skills. “Our engine had to keep its specific characteristics. »
A redesigned “hydrogen” design
While Toyota focused on the third generation of PAC, BMW worked on cooling, but also on the chassis and on the good integration of the traction chain (flat tank, battery integration, weight balance) to keep its famous “road touch”. For this, BMW has developed a partnership with Bosch for the future design of flat tanks. These will save space compared to cylindrical tanks. They integrate better into the chassis, do not encroach on the trunk and allow a balance of masses by lowering the center of gravity. “With these tanks we can build the car around the transmission. » To avoid using too much rare earth, a wound motor was chosen rather than a permanent magnet motor. “The hydrogen ecosystem has moved towards compressed gas, so we moved in this direction, bringing our vehicle design skills. We are also working to reduce the price in order to offer hydrogen on more accessible models. The gas regulators, essential parts for hydrogen, still cost 1,500 euros each (3,000 euros per vehicle) and we need to go to a third of this cost. »
Acceleration in sight
“For the system to develop, major manufacturers must show their interest in carbon-free hydrogen. » For this, BMW is also committed to the infrastructure of 700 bar stations. The EU aims to create a grid of this type of station every 150 km by 2027, and the manufacturer is working with all partners and the Flat Hy Storm consortium so that the grid is 100 km by this deadline. . It has also set up hydrogen stations in its Leipzig factory for carbon-free production.
In 2022, BMW is moving up a gear. “We have announced the production of PAC in-house, at our Munich factory, based on our partnership with Toyota. Our new platform will integrate from 2025 a propulsion chain adapted to produce battery or PAC/hydrogen electric vehicles. Our series model will arrive in 2025 with generation 3 heat pumps! »
BMW iX5 Hydrogen
Presented as a full-scale demonstrator, the BMW iX5 Hydrogen offers a range of 500 km. Combining fuel cell technology and a BMW electric motor, it features the fifth generation of BMW eDrive technology, with two 700 bar hydrogen tanks made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, the equivalent of 6 kg of hydrogen in total in the tanks. The fuel cell generates a power of 125 kW/170 hp and an electric motor powered by a battery which is recharged thanks to energy recovery or by the fuel cell provides the additional power, for a combined power of 374 hp.
