Spectre, the first ever electric Rolls-Royce, will go into production next September. But seemingly on Goodwood’s side, we do not rely on electricity. Indeed, Rolls-Royce is also interested in hydrogen for some of its future models, according to brand CEO Torsten Müller-Otves.

Rolls-Royce would be particularly interested in fuel cell solutions, a technology currently being tested by BMW on the iX5. Remember that Rolls-Royce is part of the BMW Group, so synergies are possible at this level.

Still behind on electricity

Thorsten Müller-Otwesch expressed his interest in hydrogen during an interview with our British colleagues at Autocar. The latter, however, spoke quite clearly about this energy, emphasizing, in particular, its advantages, as well as its disadvantages and in particular, its delay in the development of vehicles intended for mass production, especially in relation to electric vehicles.

“I believe that the most efficient way to use hydrogen is not to ‘burn’ it in a heat engine. I rather think that the operation of the fuel cell is more useful. There are a number of conditions that need to be met before we see a hydrogen-powered Rolls-Royce, but it’s an all-electric alternative that we’re looking at. »

To cooperate with Toyota?

“We know that most of our customers have already owned or currently own an electric car. Now charging a car at home is quite simple. With fuel cell cars, the situation is different because refueling resources are still too scarce.”

Like BMW, Rolls-Royce may turn to Toyota to develop its first hydrogen car. But between the establishment of a partnership, the development and implementation of such a project, the first results will be felt only after a few years.