The world seems to be bent on widespread adoption of electric cars. Most people see it as the solution to all our problems in the future, including the changing climate and other issues along the way. However, a wider range of options that would allow us to drop fossil fuels altogether would be a better solution, in my view. It looks like BMW agrees as the CEO of the Group, Harald Krueger, confirmed during a statement made earlier this year, bringing the limelight on fuel cell vehicles once again.
BMW is planning an electrified offensive, no doubt about it. By 2025, the BMW Group will launch 25 electrified vehicles in total, 12 of them being pure electric models. However, Herr Krueger also said that conventional engines will be further refined and improved to make sure customers still have alternatives in the future. Furthermore, the research into fuel-cell technology continues, alongside their traditional partner, Toyota.
“We are relying on a broad portfolio of technologies – with flexible platforms for combustion engines, plug-in hybrids and electric drive trains. We are also conducting further research into fuel cells with our partner Toyota. Over the long term, drive trains with hydrogen fuel cells will offer greater local emission-free range, with very short refuelling times. These will complement our battery-electric vehicles,” said Kruger.
“Every customer has different needs and every market different business conditions. We can only achieve the flexibility needed for fully sustainable mobility around the world by staying open to different technologies. We are fully committed to this approach. We expect various drive forms to continue to exist alongside one another. Our customers appreciate the wide range of models and drive trains we offer,” he added.
That’s a big announcement, especially today when everyone seems to have forgotten about fuel-cell tech and the benefits it has. Unfortunately, we still don’t have an estimate as to when we could see these cars enter production.
