BMW Takes Steps to a Hydrogen Internal Combustion Powered Vehicle - 6/08/06

BMW may soon launch a new range of petrol electric vehicles powered by a new hybrid technology developed by GM and Daimler Chrysler. BMW also announced a joint venture fuel distribution network with petroleum producer Total to promote hydrogen as a source of energy to vehicles on the road. This will start with three hydrogen filling stations in Europe by the end of 2007.

BMW plans to release its first hydrogen powered vehicle by 2008. The vehicle will be based on its 7 series sedan. BMW has invested over a billion dollars in the last 25 years to develop hydrogen technology.

The BMW announcement gives proof they plan to go it alone on hydrogen powered internal combustion engine technology when others like GM and DC plans to develop fuel cell powered vehicles using hydrogen to produce electricity powering electric motors to drive the vehicle.

The only major car maker promoting the hydrogen fuelled internal combustion engine is BMW. BMW hydrogen fueled combustion engine is cheaper and offers higher performance over the fuel cell vehicles powers by electric motors.

BMW says its customers will not accept the poor performance of the fuel cell vehicles nor will they accept the vacuum cleaner sound they produce.

Jaochim Milbreg chairman of BMW believes that customers will like the combustion engine more than fuel cell vehicles.

Summarized Source
Marton Pettendy – The Red Book
June 5, 2006