This is not surprising, the current automotive fad is all-electric. Guided more by politicians than engineers, every manufacturer had to equip itself with electric models within a few years. There was a delay with hybrid and a plug-in hybrid, but now only pure electric has priority. Some manufacturers have already announced their intention to offer only electric models in 2030. As part of the European policy, which wants finally ban heat engines by 2035. But when we think of electricity, we most often have in mind battery electric vehicles (or BEVs). The battery powers the electric motor, we charge it when it discharges, and continue…

Hydrogen, the solution of the future?

But apart from BEVs, Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), which run on hydrogen, are starting to attract more automakers. They have a use and operation closer to heat engines. They have a hydrogen tankwhich must be performed at designated stations. The tank is full in five minutes, versus several tens of minutes for recharging a BEV. Hydrogen is injected into the fuel cell and comes into contact with oxygen creates a chemical reaction that produces electricity. A very simple operation that makes them on paper even more convenient than ordinary electric cars. They are actually lighter because they don’t have large batteries only water molecules are released. But the method of producing hydrogen, which pollutes the environment very much, does not allow us to generalize the use of this energy at the moment, since no method of producing “green hydrogen” has been found. The cost of this technology and the lack of infrastructure also hold back its development.

BMW is at the testing stage

However, some manufacturers believe this, for example Toyota with its Mirai Where Hyundai with its Nexo. In Europe it is like that Initial stages of BMW testing of this technology on his large BMW X5. Electrified only as a plug-in hybrid, the X5 now features a 100% electric version that runs on hydrogen ! baptized iX5, is a prototype that will be sold in multiples to test the technology and test the market. Its production only began in Munich Science and Innovation Center. It will be equipped with fuel cells of the latest generation (developed in partnership with Toyota). This will cause a Electric motor with a capacity of 275 kW, that is, 374 horsepower. We do not know its autonomy, nor its price, given it customers were handpicked. BMW, if these tests are convincing, would like to launch a Hydrogen electric SUV in 2025.