BMW’s Path Towards Hydrogen fuelled cars

Rumours are spreading that BMW is knee deep in plans to develop Hydrogen fuel cell cars, with blueprints for a 7 Series model and more recently, a hydrogen powered i8 prototype. The public’s interests seem to be solely focused on Battery Electric Vehicles that are currently being spearheaded by the production of the Tesla Model S and the Chevrolet Bolt. But despite the trend BMW remains dedicated to its focus on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology, which not too coincidentally also happens to be planet Earth’s most abundant resource.

BMW is not alone in its interest in hydrogen fuel, rather a bromance of sorts has developed between the Bavarian brand and the Japanese manufacturer, Toyota. Together they have apparently shared their interest and pooled much of their technological research in making hydrogen fuel cars a more viable option for commuters worldwide.

However the biggest barrier to making hydrogen powered cars more of a reality on the world’s roads, is infrastructure. Currently, there is insufficient number of refuelling stations to have hydrogen cars a viable mainstream option. However, responding to the critics Craig Scott, the national advanced technology manager for Toyota retorts,  “We didn’t go from horse drawn buggies to Ferraris overnight, so let’s keep perspective in mind and know this is a transformation and it’s a phase change and we are not expecting results tomorrow, but in the next decade or two”.

Toyota is not resting on its laurels either with plans to build a network of hydrogen refuelling stations across both the east and west coasts of America. With some support between friends and with any help from Uncle Sam, there is every possibility to think that hydrogen a fuel network,can become a reality and far sooner than the critics think.