BMW sees hydrogen cars as a complement to battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), not a competition between the two technologies, and is rolling out a pilot fleet of BMW iX5 Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles around the world, including South Africa.
The German carmaker has partnered locally with Anglo American Platinum and Sasol and the public road vehicle trial was announced on the sidelines of the Hydrogen Council’s regional meeting in Sandton, Johannesburg, this week. It follows the signing of the collaboration agreement in October at the South African green hydrogen summit.
The cross-industry alliance aims to drive the green hydrogen economy by demonstrating value chains and projects, moving from industrial policy to real world applications. The three companies each provide a part of the value chain to demonstrate their capabilities in this emerging new economy.
The green hydrogen economy is rapidly rising to the forefront of global sustainability and energy security initiatives, said BMW.
“Since hydrogen cars combine the advantages of electric driving with the possibility to refuel quickly, they would be ideal for customers who travel a lot or who do not have electric charging at home or at work,” said BMW Group general programme manager for hydrogen Juergen Guldner.
“After four years of development, the pilot fleet of BMW iX5 Hydrogen started its world tour in Antwerp, Belgium, in 2023. Since then we have showcased and tested these prototypes all over the world.”
The BMW iX5 Hydrogen is the world’s most powerful passenger hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), with an output of 295kW, a top speed of 180km/h and a 0-100km/h sprint in less than six seconds. It is fully refuelled in only three to four minutes for a range of up to 504km.
The pilot fleet of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is not intended for sale. Depending on the market requirements and general conditions, BMW envisages potentially offering a production vehicle in the second half of the decade. The small series fleet is being used around the world to gain insight into the operation of hydrogen FCEVs and customer experience.
As in a BEV, an FCEV has an electric drive. The main difference is the energy storage system: instead of electricity in the battery, gaseous hydrogen is stored in tanks and converted into electrical energy for the drive unit via the fuel cell.
The main advantage is a hydrogen car can be refuelled in the same time as combustion engine vehicles.
“Collaboration across industries would be key to unlocking the huge potential of green hydrogen as a critical technology in the decarbonisation challenge,” said BMW Group SA CEO Peter van Binsbergen at this week’s launch of the pilot fleet in South Africa.
“We see hydrogen as the ‘missing piece’ of the energy transition puzzle and, in the transport sector, it has the potential to become another pillar in the BMW Group’s drivetrain portfolio for local CO2-free mobility, with our established battery-electric mobility option.”
Anglo American Platinum head of projects Prakashim Moodliar said: “We believe partnerships are key to creating a local, sustainable hydrogen economy. Our platinum group metals will play a strategic role in enabling a new industrial sector in the country and globally. This week’s engagements represent a clear and continued demonstration of a green mobility ecosystem in action, which showcases the most powerful passenger fuel cell electric vehicle. The future is hydrogen.”
Dries Swanepoel, principal specialist market development at Sasol’s Low Carbon Energy Solutions business, said: “Sasol is excited about our partnership with Anglo American Platinum and BMW Group SA to develop a local green economy. BMW’s iX5 Hydrogen fuelled with Sasol’s hydrogen dispensed using air products technology is a powerful expression of thought leadership and innovation in action.
“Together, we are making strides towards introducing the concept of hydrogen mobility in South Africa and building the ecosystem of partners needed to do this.”
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