- The tighter collaboration between the two will see Toyota provide BMW with more hydrogen components.
- BMW is planning to release several fuel-cell vehicles by the end of the decade.
- More details will be announced at a BMW media event on September 5.
Toyota and BMW are strengthening their fuel cell vehicle partnership as the growth of EV sales slowS and the German brand plans to begin production of a hydrogen X5 in the coming years.
While most other legacy carmakers are going all-in on hybrids and EVs, Toyota and BMW are among the rare few continuing to develop hydrogen technologies. They’ve been working together since 2012 and are expected to sign a new memorandum of understanding for an expanded partnership in early September.
Read: BMW Launches iX5 Hydrogen Powered By Toyota Fuel Cells In Global Pilot Fleet
The deal will see Toyota supply BMW with more important hydrogen components, including tanks and fuel cell systems, Nikkei Asia reports. BMW will then use its own EV technologies and drive systems. In early 2023, BMW launched a pilot fleet of hydrogen iX5s, and a stronger bond with Toyota will allow it to slash the development and production costs of the eventual mass-market model.
A key reason why fuel-cell-powered vehicles have failed to proliferate is the lack of a solid charging infrastructure. The partnership between Toyota and BMW is tipped to include cooperation on the development and the roll-out of improved hydrogen supply infrastructure across Europe.
BMW won’t stop with one hydrogen production vehicle. After launching a fuel cell iX5, it intends to add multiple fuel cell vehicles to its range.
The hydrogen iX5s unveiled by BMW last year started out as regular X5s built at its plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina. They are then sent to its Research and Innovation Center in Munich, where the SUV’s floor is replaced by one with two large hydrogen tanks positioned in the center tunnel and under the rear seat. An integrated drive unit with the electric motor, transmission, and power electronics replaces the combustion engine.
More details about the deepening ties between the two companies will be released at a BMW media roundtable scheduled for September 5.
