BMW Group Plant Steyr is set to begin series production of fuel cell systems in 2028, with the third generation of its hydrogen system. Prototypes are already in development at the competence centres in Munich and Steyr.
Joachim Post, a member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development, highlights that the launch of BMW’s first fuel cell production model will introduce an efficient, zero-emission drive system to their range. He stresses the significance of Steyr in their European innovation strategy.
The new generation of BMW’s fuel cell system, which is more compact, powerful, and efficient, follows two previous versions. The first generation, entirely supplied by Toyota, was used in the BMW 535iA in 2014, while the second was introduced in the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet, mostly developed by BMW with Toyota-sourced fuel cells.
The BMW Group and Toyota are collaborating on this new powertrain system for passenger vehicles, benefiting both companies by maximizing development and procurement synergies.
The BMW Group is developing prototypes of efficient fuel cell systems at its hydrogen competence centre in Munich. In the fuel cell, hydrogen from the tanks reacts with oxygen from the air, generating electricity that powers the electric motor.
The fuel cell system comprises the fuel cells and key components such as the cooling and subsystems for hydrogen and air. This compact design guarantees high performance and safety, in line with BMW’s standards.
Current production concentrates on validating assembly and testing procedures, with a focus on industrialisation and quality assurance. The prototypes also assist in improving the operating strategy and confirming system performance, which are essential for preparing fuel cell technology for series production.
In brief… The third generation of fuel cell technology features key improvements:
- Compact Design: The system’s size has been reduced by approximately 25%, resulting in a more compact design due to higher power density.
- High Degree of Integration: This generation can seamlessly integrate into future vehicle architectures, accommodating a range of drive system options for customers.
- Enhanced Efficiency: With optimised components developed with Toyota and enhanced operating strategies, the new system delivers increased range and output while using less energy, marking a significant upgrade over the second generation.
- You can visit the BMW website here: http://www.bmw.co.uk/
