In 1979, BMW, together with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), converted a BMW 520/4 (built in 1975) into a test vehicle for the first time. Visually speaking, it was no different from its petrol-powered versions, but its four-cylinder engine burned hydrogen instead of petrol. This was an early demonstration that hydrogen in the combustion engine is technically feasible.
Hydrogen now functions independently as an energy source and, more importantly, can be used locally without emissions. The hydrogen-electric drive – also known as the fuel cell drive – is an exciting technology and an emission-free alternative to the battery-electric drive (➜ Read also: The dawn of an electric era) without long charging times.
A fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) has an electric drive just like a battery electric vehicle (BEV) – and even the identical electric motor. The main difference is the energy storage. Instead of electric current in the battery, gaseous hydrogen is stored in tanks and converted into electric current for the drive using the fuel cell.
The main advantage for drivers is that a hydrogen car (➜ Read also: Hydrogen fuel cell cars: everything you need to know) can be refuelled in just three to four minutes. It therefore enables the same user behaviour as with combustion vehicles – with all the advantages of electromobility.
Pioneering achievement: BMW hydrogen drive in series production
For the BMW Group, its commitment to hydrogen is an expression of its technologically-open approach to the mobility of tomorrow. A long journey on which a lot of experience was gained. The BMW archive contains more than 1,000 documents, publications, and files on the subject of BMW and hydrogen. Now after more than four decades of research, the hydrogen journey at BMW has reached an important milestone: The first BMW series vehicle with a hydrogen drive will be on the road from 2028.
This means that drive portfolio of BMW will soon comprise five variants (electric, plug-in hybrid, petrol, diesel, and hydrogen) – a real milestone and proof of how open BMW is to technological advances.
To mark the occasion, we take a look back at the highlights of the BMW hydrogen journey – with important innovations, defining vehicles, and special developments.
1980 – BMW 7 series
In 1980, the BMW 7 Series was the first luxury-class vehicle in Europe to be powered by cryogenic liquid hydrogen. However, hydrogen for these cars is still produced from crude oil or natural gas and not with the help of solar hydrogen technology. The liquid hydrogen is transported in the car at minus 253 degrees Celsius. With a 93-litre tank, ranges of around 300 kilometres can be achieved. The hydrogen BMW 7 Series is powered by the tried-and-tested petrol engine (➜ Read also: Technical marvels: 12 standout examples of a BMW engine). At the heart of the development is the mixture formation for which BMW is working closely with the German Aerospace Centre.
1989 – first pilot series
In 1989, BMW presented the world’s first hydrogen twelve-cylinder engine at the International Motor Show Germany (IAA) in Frankfurt. On 11 May 2000, this pilot series was first driven on public roads in Berlin. Among other things, the vehicles were used in the shuttle service during EXPO 2000. In 2001, the CleanEnergy WorldTour followed with five stops worldwide.
2004 – BMW H2R
In 2004, the BMW H2R made history with nine world records, including a top speed of over 300 km/h – an absolute first for hydrogen-powered vehicles. Its engine technology was based on the twelve-cylinder engine of the BMW 760i, which was adapted for hydrogen operation.
After the record-breaking runs, the BMW H2R found its way into the BMW Group Classic vehicle collection. But not without one last highlight. For the legendary Festival of Speed in Goodwood in 2023, the BMW H2R was made ready for use again in just five months. A team of hydrogen experts took numerous measures to ensure that the vehicle was once again ready to compete in the legendary hillclimb at Goodwood.
2007 – BMW Hydrogen 7
The BMW Hydrogen 7 is the result of decades of experience in testing hydrogen as a drive technology at BMW and has made the pioneering concept of sustainable mobility available for everyday use. The vehicle is based on the BMW 760Li. Powered by a hydrogen combustion engine, the BMW 7 Series saloon is driven by a 191 kW/260 hp twelve-cylinder engine. As long as a widespread hydrogen supply is not guaranteed, the bivalent engine of the BMW Hydrogen 7 can also run on conventional petrol by simply switching the operating mode.
2013 – Cooperation with Toyota
Based on the experience gained from these projects, in particular the BMW Hydrogen 7, BMW made two fundamental, trend-setting technology decisions. Hydrogen storage was switched from cryogenic liquid hydrogen to the global gaseous 700 bar standard in order to avoid “boil-off” effects. In the course of electrification, the drive was converted from a hydrogen burner to the more efficient fuel cell drive train. This combination of 700 bar pressure tank storage and fuel cell drive has now been extensively tested and is 100 percent suitable for everyday use.
The BMW Group receives the individual fuel cells from the Toyota Motor Corporation. This led to the development and production of fuel cell systems at the BMW hydrogen centre. Both companies have been working together on fuel cell drives since 2013 and can look back on many years of trusting cooperation.
2017 – Hydrogen Council
BMW is one of 13 founding members of the Hydrogen Council, which was launched as a global initiative in 2017. It brings together leading companies with a shared vision and long-term ambitions for hydrogen to support the transition to clean energy. The council uses its global reach to promote cooperation between governments, industry, and investors and - with the energy transition in mind – provides guidance in order to further expand the potential and role of hydrogen.
2023 – BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet
The BMW iX5 Hydrogen, which was developed on the basis of the current BMW X5, was presented as a concept idea for the first time at IAA 2019 in Munich. The first prototypes were used as shuttle vehicles for passengers at IAA Mobility 2021. Its powerful hydrogen fuel cell system is further proof of the leading development expertise of the BMW Group in electric drive technologies.
After four years of development work, the BMW iX5 Hydrogen vehicle and development project entered the next decisive phase. Since the beginning of 2023, the pilot fleet has been deployed worldwide for demonstration and testing purposes and has covered more than one million kilometres on its journey through over 20 countries. Together with a specially developed high-performance battery, the fuel cell system brings 400 hp of driving pleasure to the road for BMW.
2024 – BMW to launch first-ever series production fuel cell vehicle in 2028
The BMW Group and the Toyota Motor Corporation are pooling their innovative strength and their technological capabilities to bring a new generation of fuel cell powertrain technology to the roads. Both companies share the aspiration of advancing the hydrogen economy and have extended their collaboration to push this locally zeroemission technology to the next level.
After successfully testing the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet worldwide, the BMW Group is now preparing for series production of vehicles with hydrogen drive systems in 2028 on the basis of the jointly developed next-generation powertrain technology. The pathway to realizing the full potential of hydrogen mobility includes its use in commercial vehicles and the establishment of a refuelling infrastructure for all mobility applications, including hydrogen-powered passenger vehicles. Hydrogen is the missing piece for completing the electric mobility puzzle.
Hydrogen as art
In 2004, the artist Olafur Eliasson was selected by an international panel of curators who met to discuss the further development of the BMW Art Car Collection (➜ Read also: The History of the BMW Art Cars). Eliasson, one of the most important representatives of the contemporary art world, designed the 16th BMW Art Car, which was presented to the public in 2007. In his work, he focussed on the technological milestone BMW H2R.
Twenty years later, Es Devlin’s new multimedia work SURFACING, an installation of water, light, sound, and dance as well as a series of mobile sound installations in the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet, was presented at Art Basel 2024.
Green hydrogen is produced by the electrolysis of water. Electricity from renewable energy sources is used for this. Green hydrogen is therefore CO2-free.
Grey hydrogen is usually produced from fossil natural gas by means of steam reforming. This produces around 10 t of CO2 per tonne of hydrogen. The CO2 is released into the atmosphere. This hydrogen needs to be replaced by climate-friendly hydrogen.
Blue hydrogen is like grey hydrogen. But during production, the CO2 is partially captured and stored in the ground (CCS, carbon capture and storage). A maximum of 90 percent of CO2 can be stored. Blue hydrogen is therefore considered to be low in CO2.
Orange hydrogen is hydrogen produced from waste and residual materials. It is considered to be CO2-neutral.
Turquoise hydrogen is produced via the thermal decomposition (pyrolysis) of methane. Instead of CO2, solid carbon is produced. This does not escape into the atmosphere. Methane pyrolysis is still being developed.
Use of hydrogen in plant and transport logistics
For many years, hydrogen has been used as an energy source in BMW factory logistics. In 2013, Germany’s first indoor hydrogen refuelling station was built on the Leipzig site. Forklift trucks and tugger trains for intralogistics are refuelled there. More than 10 years later, the Leipzig factory had the largest fleet in Germany with over 130 fuel cell-powered industrial trucks. On the factory premises, there are five intralogistics hydrogen refuelling stations, the latest of which allows for fully automated refuelling. The Leipzig factory is also the first automotive factory in the world to pilot a newly developed burner technology in its paint shop. This allows green hydrogen to be used in addition to natural gas.
In logistics beyond the factory gates, BMW is also working with partners to test the use of hydrogen to decarbonise transport logistics and is involved in projects such as H2HAUL (development and piloting of fuel cell trucks) and HyCET (testing of hydrogen trucks with combustion engines in transport logistics).
Author: Markus Löblein; Art: Lucas Lemuth, Verena Aichinger; Animations: Max Salzborn; Photos: BMW
