BMW and Toyota Team Up to Lead Hydrogen Car Revolution by 2028

• BMW will mass-produce its first hydrogen-powered car by 2028, working with Toyota to leverage its fuel cell expertise.
• The success of hydrogen cars depends on building a more comprehensive network of refuelling stations, as only 921 exist globally, mainly in China and Germany.
• Both automakers are betting on hydrogen as a critical technology for heavy vehicles and long-distance travel, aiming to stay ahead of future regulations and market demand.

BMW has announced plans to mass-produce its first hydrogen-powered car by 2028. The project results from a partnership with Toyota, which has led in hydrogen fuel cell technology since launching the Mirai in 2014.

With growing competition in the electric vehicle (EV) market, BMW is expanding its focus beyond electric batteries. Hydrogen remains a bold choice, facing high costs and infrastructure limitations. According to LBST, only 921 hydrogen refuelling stations existed globally by the end of 2023, most in China and Germany.

BMW and Toyota aim to work together to address these challenges. While the two companies will not create joint models, they plan to collaborate on building hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. Their goal is to reduce costs and meet rising demand, especially in Europe and Asia. They hope to encourage governments and investors to back hydrogen technology by doing so.

The 2035 European Union ban on new combustion-powered vehicles is approaching, pushing automakers to diversify. For BMW, hydrogen is a potential solution for heavy vehicles and long-distance travel, where battery-powered EVs face limitations.

Toyota shares this vision. While the Mirai has not achieved high sales, the company’s nearly decade-long experience with hydrogen fuel cells has helped reduce development costs. This expertise makes Toyota an ideal partner for BMW. Together, they hope to make hydrogen technology more affordable.

Though hydrogen technology holds potential, the cost and complexity of mass adoption are still obstacles. Developing a widespread refuelling network is essential to making hydrogen-powered cars viable. BMW and Toyota believe their collaboration will drive progress in this area and create demand for hydrogen vehicles.

Most automakers focus on battery-powered electric cars, but BMW and Toyota are betting on hydrogen as an alternative. Their strategy relies on evolving consumer needs and regulatory changes. Hydrogen could become vital to the automotive future if governments offer tax incentives and favourable policies.

The success of this initiative largely depends on infrastructure. Building enough hydrogen refuelling stations is critical to widespread adoption. BMW and Toyota pool resources to address this challenge and share the financial burden. They are also positioning themselves ahead of potential policy shifts that could boost demand for hydrogen.

Despite the risks, both companies are confident in hydrogen’s long-term potential. Industry experts are closely watching how governments worldwide respond to this technology. The global push for cleaner transportation may lead to more robust support for hydrogen vehicles.

BMW and Toyota’s approach is forward-thinking. By collaborating and sharing risks, they aim to overcome the hurdles of hydrogen technology and prepare for future market shifts. Their alliance could set the stage for hydrogen-powered cars to become a significant player in the automotive industry.