BMW and Toyota Join Forces to Develop Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles by 2025
BMW and Toyota are partnering to jointly produce hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as early as 2025. This collaboration allows both automakers to hedge their zero-emission investments while leveraging Toyota's deep experience with the technology.
BMW and Toyota are teaming up to produce hydrogen fuel cell vehicles starting mid-decade. BMW sales chief Pieter Nota confirms that the two automakers will begin selling jointly developed fuel cell vehicles as early as 2025. This partnership builds on their previous collaborations, which include the iX5 Hydrogen and the co-developed BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra sports cars.
These vehicles use hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity instead of relying on a traditional engine or battery. This technology offers distinct advantages over battery-electric vehicles, including refueling times of just three to four minutes and the ability to travel longer distances. However, a major hurdle remains the lack of a widespread public hydrogen fueling infrastructure, which is currently concentrated only in California.
For BMW, this move serves as a strategic hedge to complement its growing lineup of battery-electric vehicles. CEO Oliver Zipse indicates that the company's upcoming next-generation Neue Klasse platform will likely accommodate hydrogen fuel cells alongside pure battery power. This collaboration allows both legacy automakers to diversify their zero-emission strategies as BMW aims for EVs to make up half of its corporate brand sales by the end of the decade.