BMW Group has Developed the 2nd Gen Fuel Cell System for Electric Vehicles

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The BMW Group is dedicated to revolutionary emissions-free technology and developing fuel cells. The company will implement this technology in its small-series BMW iX5 Hydrogen in the near future. So, the manufacturing of the hydrogen-associated component has now started. BMW Group is looking for the next move toward reliable electro-mobility and has started in-house production of fuel cell systems.

The combination of fuel cells and sustainable batteries in the vehicle offers effective carbon-free substitutes for existing electric drive forms. The company is also offering another dependable drive option with more emissions-free options for everyday use. However, the benefits of this substitute technology are massive. Hydrogen has a major role in the way to climate neutrality as a multipurpose energy source.

The Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Oliver Zipse, issued a statement. He said the new energy source will also obtain more importance with the concerns of personal mobility. The hydrogen-powered vehicles are supposedly more effective technology to fit with the batteries of electric vehicles to reform electric mobility.

BMW is Using Hydrogen Fuel Cell for EV Drive System

Zipse added that the company is suggesting the technical wisdom of this kind of drive system. BMW is also emphasizing its possibility for the future EV drive system. Keep in mind that optimized fuel cell technology offers extraordinary performance with a lower weight. BMW is using hydrogen fuel cell technology in its new iX5 Hydrogen version.

The company will manufacture the BMW iX5 Hydrogen model in a small series in 2022. BMW will use this limited version worldwide for demonstration and testing purposes. The new vehicle will demonstrate the key leap that the company has developed in the area of fuel cells. Moreover, a member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Frank Weber, also confirmed the improvement.

BMW iX5 Hydrogen Vehicle with 2nd Gen Fuel Cell

Weber said many years of research and development work allowed BMW to get the very most out of hydrogen technology. The company managed to at least double the continuous output of the 2nd Gen fuel cell in the iX5 Hydrogen. However, the weight and size have both decreased more significantly. The inventive fuel cell tech of the small-series vehicles provides high performance of around 125 kW/ 170 hp.

Moreover, the powertrain of this vehicle would bring a more efficient 275 kW/ 374 hp. BMW has developed the 5th Gen of BMW eDrive technology and a high-performance battery. The company presented the technology in combination with an electric engine for this vehicle. The development team of small-series has integrated the powerful drive system.

BMW Group is Developing Dedicated Hydrogen Components

It features an electric engine, 2 hydrogen tanks, and a fuel cell into the existing design of the BMW X5. The chemical reaction takes place in the fuel cell using the tank’s hydrogen and oxygen from the surrounding air. The constant supply of both elements to the membrane in the fuel cell is essential to achieving high drive performance.

BMW Group has also reportedly developed dedicated hydrogen components for its powerful cell system. The system includes a high-speed compressor with a high-voltage coolant pump and a turbine. It is noteworthy that BMW Group has presented a globally unique drive system for electric vehicles. The company has now started the production of this unique drive system.