BMW BLOG

Recently, BMW has unveiled the Hydrogen7 model and the X6 EfficientDynamics hybrid concept, but now the head of its clean-energy technology division has revealed that electric powertrains are also being investigated.

In an interview with iDrive , Jochen Schmalholz, told reporters that hydrogen fueled cars won’t be around for another 15-20 years. The biggest problem is not the technology but the lack of infrastructure. At present there are only five liquid-hydrogen refueling stations in the entire world, one in the U.S. and four in Germany, and this is the biggest hurdle to the hydrogen car, Schmalholz explained. While I acknowledge his points, I also have to point out that building hydrogen refueling stations wouldn't be such a difficult task. As long as they're profitable, the entrepreneurs will have no problem shelling money out for such investments.

In Mr. Schmalholz opinion, the temporary solution is to switch to all electric cars. He says that BMW engineers are working on an electric vehicle but there are no production plans in place yet.”We will only bring this if it makes sense,” he says. “At the moment we are not really convinced it will work for BMW. But if it makes commercial sense and it makes sense to our customers, then we will do it.” You see? It's all about profitability, as I have mentioned above with the hydrogen stations. 

Bottom line is that it will be interesting to see a BMW electric car and it is even more interesting to see if they could keep up the same performance as the regular diesel and gas powered models.