Germany and Japan test hydrogen future with BMW, Toyota cars

A German transport minister visited Toyota’s fuel cell factory using a BMW iX5 Hydrogen and later departed in a Toyota Crown FCEV, both powered by hydrogen fuel cells that generate electricity. BMW and Toyota are jointly developing the third generation of this drive technology, with BMW employees working in Japan and both companies contributing components to make fuel cells more compact and efficient. After development, BMW will manufacture the drive technology in an Austrian factory and Toyota will produce it at a Japanese site. BMW plans to launch its first hydrogen series model in 2028, and Toyota will update two existing hydrogen series models with the new system. Germany expects rising demand for green hydrogen by 2030 and anticipates importing large quantities, while Japan plans to expand hydrogen capacity to twelve million tons per year by 2040.

"On Wednesday, German Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder arrived at Toyota's fuel cell factory in a German BMW iX5 Hydrogen, only to later depart in a Japanese Toyota Crown FCEV. The choice of cars was, of course, no coincidence, with both vehicles generating electricity from hydrogen in a fuel cell. Car makers BMW and Toyota are currently jointly developing the third generation of this drive technology. Three BMW employees have specifically moved to Japan to participate in the undertaking."

"Both companies are contributing components to help develop a more compact and efficient fuel cell. Once this stage is complete, BMW will manufacture this drive technology in an Austrian factory and Toyota will do the same at a Japanese production site. BMW plans to launch its first hydrogen series model in 2028. Toyota will also equip its two existing hydrogen series models with the new system. Exact details, however, are not yet known."

"“The cooperation between Toyota and BMW on hydrogen is groundbreaking for the further development of this drive technology,” Transport Minister Schnieder told reporters after his visit to the city of Toyota. “We need to get hydrogen ready for series production so that we are not just dependent on batteries and fossil fuels and can build broader supply chains,” the minister added."

"Germany expects a sharp increase in demand for green hydrogen produced using electricity from renewables by 2030. It will be unable to meet this demand and thus will have to import large quantities of hydrogen. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Japan, too, plans to expand its hydrogen capacity to twelve million tons of per year by 2040."

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