BMW tests hydrogen vehicle

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【Summary】BMW is testing a fleet of almost 100 hydrogen vehicles, including the iX5 model, which has a range of 313 miles and can be refueled in just a few minutes. The company believes hydrogen has a crucial role to play in the transition to renewable energy and aims to reduce CO2 emissions per vehicle by 40% by 2030.

FutureCar Staff Aug 15, 2023 9:22 AM PT

BMW is conducting a pilot program with nearly 100 hydrogen vehicles, as they continue to explore alternative energy sources in the automotive industry.

One of the vehicles being tested is the BMW iX5, which has been in development for four years and is now being deployed internationally for trial purposes.

The BMW iX5 offers an impressive range of 313 miles, thanks to its fuel cell technology. The hydrogen needed to power the vehicle is stored in two 700-bar tanks made of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). These tanks can be filled up in just three to four minutes.

Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, recognizes the potential of hydrogen as an energy source and its role in the energy transition process and climate protection. He believes that hydrogen is one of the most efficient ways to store and transport renewable energies, and that it can greatly contribute to the transformation of the mobility sector. Zipse states, "Hydrogen is the missing piece in the jigsaw when it comes to emission-free mobility. One technology on its own will not be enough to enable climate-neutral mobility worldwide."

The BMW iX5 is part of the BMW Group's 'Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign', which aims to achieve full climate neutrality throughout the value chain. As part of this campaign, the BMW Group plans to reduce CO2 emissions per vehicle by at least 40% by 2030 compared with 2019, in order to contribute to the fight against climate change.