The Japanese car manufacturer Toyota and BMW have agreed to jointly develop the next generation of fuel cell technology. The cooperation in purchasing and development is intended to ensure large quantities and reduce costs.
BMW CEO Oliver Zipse says this “will usher in an era of significant demand for fuel cell electric vehicles.” Toyota President Koji Sato spoke of a new stage in the long-standing cooperation between the two companies “with the aim of building a hydrogen society.”
Scarce battery raw materials
Table of Contents
- 0.1 Scarce battery raw materials
- 0.2 Plant in Steyr strives for order
- 0.3 Three minutes for a tank of fuel
- 1 Toyota and BMW Join Forces to Develop Next-Gen Fuel Cell Technology
Given the increasing scarcity of battery raw materials on the one hand and inadequate e-charging networks on the other, Zipse does not want to put all his eggs in one basket. He sees electric cars that get their power from hydrogen instead of a battery as a perfect complement.
The two-year testing of a small series of the hydrogen BMW iX5 Hydrogen with customers in Asia, America and Europe has shown that the technology is very robust, ready for use and ready for series production, says project manager Michael Rath. This will also make the group more independent of highly sought-after battery raw materials such as lithium, nickel, manganese and cobalt.
Plant in Steyr strives for order
Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and some other manufacturers already have the technology in series production. There are only a few hydrogen filling stations in Germany – in China, South Korea, Japan and California the network is much better, explains Rath. A nationwide network is being built for trucks anyway.
The company has not yet announced in which plant BMW will build its hydrogen car in series. E-charging networks, hydrogen infrastructure and BMW sales figures play a role. The BMW plant in Steyr – like other locations – is researching hydrogen technology. “It would be nice if Steyr got a chance,” said a spokesman on Thursday. The company is trying to get an order.
Three minutes for a tank of fuel
Customers’ wishes vary around the world. An FCEV runs on green hydrogen and is just as emission-free as a battery-powered car. In contrast to a battery-powered car, however, it can travel long distances even in extreme heat or cold without long charging breaks, emphasizes Rath. A tank fill takes just three minutes. The hydrogen supplies the electricity for the electric motor via the fuel cell, and only water vapor comes out of the exhaust.
The company has not yet announced which model BMW will also offer as a hydrogen car. But the advantages are more evident in large, heavy vehicles. And the production costs are high because of the small quantities and the expensive platinum in the fuel cells.
BMW buys the fuel cells for its hydrogen car from Toyota and supplies components to the Japanese company. Toyota is considered the world leader in fuel cells and has been on the market for a long time with the luxury sedan Mirai. China is also relying on a combination of battery-powered cars (BEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and hydrogen cars (FCEV).
Hydrogen is easy to transport and is considered a good electricity storage medium for excess wind and solar energy. Using electricity directly is more efficient than using hydrogen indirectly. “But it is even less efficient to switch off wind turbines and solar systems when their electricity is not needed,” says Rath.
ePaper
Toyota and BMW Join Forces to Develop Next-Gen Fuel Cell Technology
The automotive industry is experiencing a significant transformation as manufacturers increasingly focus on sustainable technologies. A notable development in this field is the collaboration between Japanese car manufacturer Toyota and German automaker BMW. The two companies have agreed to jointly develop the next generation of fuel cell technology, aimed at creating a hydrogen-powered future for vehicles. This partnership is designed to ensure large production quantities and reduce costs, ultimately paving the way for a new era of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
A New Era for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles
BMW’s CEO, Oliver Zipse, has emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating that it “will usher in an era of significant demand for fuel cell electric vehicles.” On the other side, Toyota’s President, Koji Sato, described this partnership as a new stage in their long-standing collaboration, with the goal of building a hydrogen society. As both companies aim to enhance the appeal and viability of FCEVs, this cooperation promises groundbreaking innovations in the automotive sector.
Addressing the Scarcity of Battery Raw Materials
One of the primary motivators behind the partnership is the increasing scarcity of raw materials for batteries, such as lithium, nickel, manganese, and cobalt. Zipse has cautioned against relying solely on battery technology, advocating for hydrogen-powered electric vehicles as a complementary solution. The twin challenges of resource scarcity and inadequate charging infrastructures for electric vehicles make fuel cell technology an attractive alternative.
Initial testing of the hydrogen-powered BMW iX5 Hydrogen has yielded promising results. Project manager Michael Rath asserted that after a two-year trial period with customers in Asia, America, and Europe, the technology has proven to be robust, ready for use, and close to mass production.
Hydrogen Infrastructure and Production Challenges
Despite significant advancements, challenges remain, particularly regarding hydrogen filling stations. While countries like China, South Korea, Japan, and California have established a robust hydrogen infrastructure, Germany’s network is still limited. The development of hydrogen fuel stations is crucial for the widespread adoption of hydrogen vehicles. As the company explores production locations for its hydrogen cars, factors such as e-charging networks, hydrogen infrastructure, and sales figures will play vital roles. The BMW plant in Steyr is one of the potential sites under consideration, with the company actively seeking an order.
Quick Refueling and Long-Distance Travel
One of the significant advantages of fuel cell electric vehicles is their refueling efficiency. A fully tanked FCEV can be ready in just three minutes, providing a substantial advantage over traditional battery-powered vehicles, which often require longer charging times. Rath highlighted that FCEVs operate on green hydrogen, making them as emission-free as their battery counterparts while enabling long-distance travel even in extreme weather conditions.
Future Models and Production Costs
Although BMW has not yet disclosed which models will be available as hydrogen-fueled vehicles, it is clear that the advantages of this technology will be more evident in larger, heavier vehicles. However, the production costs of FCEVs remain high due to limited production volumes and the expensive platinum used in fuel cells.
In this partnership, BMW plans to source fuel cells from Toyota while providing various components to the Japanese automaker. Toyota has long been recognized as a pioneer in fuel cell technology, particularly with their Mirai luxury sedan.
The Role of Hydrogen in Energy Storage
Hydrogen’s potential extends beyond transportation; it serves as a valuable medium for storing excess energy from renewable sources like wind and solar. As Rath notes, while directly using electricity is more efficient, it is even less effective to deactivate renewable energy sources when they are not needed. Thus, hydrogen can play a critical role in energy conservation and sustainability.
Conclusion
The alliance between Toyota and BMW represents a strategic move towards a sustainable automotive future. With their focus on fuel cell technology, these manufacturers aim to address the challenges posed by raw material scarcity and infrastructure deficiencies while providing a viable alternative to battery electric vehicles. As the market for fuel cell electric vehicles grows, consumers can look forward to innovative solutions in the realm of clean transportation. Emphasizing green hydrogen and collaboration, this partnership is set to reshape the landscape of the automotive industry for decades to come.
By focusing on hydrogen technology and promoting collaborations among manufacturers, the journey towards a greener and more sustainable transportation system is gaining traction. This remarkable partnership could well mark a new chapter in automotive history.
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Keywords: Toyota, BMW, fuel cell technology, hydrogen vehicles, battery materials scarcity, hydrogen infrastructure, FCEVs, electric vehicles, sustainable transportation, automotive innovation.
