Cooperation with BMW Anglo Platinum and Sasol have introduced hydrogen-powered vehicles for trials in South Africa.
The announcement follows the signing of a tripartite agreement at the Green Hydrogen Summit in October. The German automaker's hydrogen concept is based on his popular X5 SUV. iX5 hydrogennot yet sold.
“The BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot vehicle is not intended for sale. Depending on market requirements and prevailing conditions, we believe that we may be able to offer our customers a production vehicle in the second half of the 2010s.” BMW South Africa said in a statement. “The small series is an important step in delivering this offer to our customers.”
The road vehicle trials were announced on the sidelines of Africa's first regional meeting of the Hydrogen Council in Sandton on 12 and 13 February. In terms of collaboration, BMW, Anglo Platinum and Sasol each offer part of the fleet solution.
Like other BMW models such as the X1e, X3e and X5e, the iX5 Hydrogen is electric. However, the fuel cell technology used to store energy in the iX5 Hydrogen's battery uses hydrogen gas instead of the lithium-ion batteries traditionally used in electric vehicles. The hydrogen fuel cell enables rapid charging, and BMW says the iX5 Hydrogen can be fully charged in just four minutes, giving it a range of 504km.
“The reaction produces only electrical energy, heat and water, which appears as steam. Hydrogen cars are therefore locally emission-free,” says BMW.
Future
BMW's foray into hydrogen fuel technology follows Toyota's 2020 launch of the Mirai. According to BMW's website, the fuel cells used in the iX5 Hydrogen are supplied by Toyota.
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“Hydrogen is the missing piece of the puzzle for emissions-free mobility, as no single technology is sufficient to enable climate-neutral mobility around the world,” says BMW Germany. said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board. — (c)2024 NewsCentral Media
