BMW Readies Hydrogen 7 Series for 2007

BMW announced yesterday plans to produce 100 hydrogen-powered 7 Series sedans in the U.S. for 2007. Though the hydrogen 7 Series will be a full-fledged, road-going vehicle, the automaker will loan the car only to select owners. The full-size sedan, coming sometime next year, uses a 260-hp V-12 that draws fuel from either a 19.5-gallon tank or a secondary tank with 17.6 pounds of liquid hydrogen.

The automaker says the hydrogen 7 has a range of 125 miles off the hydrogen tank and 300 miles off the gas tank — a good thing, as there are only two liquid hydrogen fuel stations in the country, one in Los Angeles and one in Washington D.C., according to BMW spokesman Andreas Klugescheid. He’s hopeful there will eventually be more.

“It’s the usual chicken and egg thing,” Klugescheid said. “You won’t have any filling stations if you don’t have any cars.”

Unlike gas-based hydrogen vehicles, the 7 Series uses liquid hydrogen, which Klugescheid said has much higher energy density than gas. Gaseous hydrogen is more widely available, however; Klugescheid estimated there are between 40 and 45 stations in the U.S.

Automakers have promoted hydrogen-powered vehicles as a carbon dioxide-free alternative to gas-powered cars. A handful of models — like Honda’s FCX and GM’s hydrogen-diesel buses — have made it onto the streets in certain states, and plenty more sit in concept-car form. Even so, the limited refueling infrastructure means mainstream hydrogen cars are probably years away.

Comments

[Alexander]

This is utter disaster. Has anybody thought of that liquid hydrogen does not exist naturally and is extremely energyintensive to produce? Whereas oil is a net energy carrier, liquid hydrogen must be manufactured using electricity. BMW is making lots of PR but unfortunately this is just another argument for buying more oil / nuclear power / solar stocks when they are cheap!

[Dave T.]

Alexander
BMW is stressing the use of solar and wind to generate that electricity. Pie in the sky I know but I think the car companies want to prove that they can make it work so they're not the bump in the road to a more eco-friendly hydrogen infrastructure (water/wind/solar)

[Kevin]

I think BMW's point in rolling out this vehicle is to make a statement such as "The hydrogen cars are ready, now where's the infrastructure to support it?" By rolling out a hydrogen car with no supporting infrastructure to speak of, it will encourage the government and business to move forward with building one.

The same thing happened with gasoline-powered automobiles. First, cars were invented and manufactured and then the gasoline infrastructure was developed in order to support the cars.

I see this as a positive prod in the right direction.

[vernon Delaune]

what took you so long?

[Vik Murty]

This is very interesting. Went to Iceland earlier this year and it seemed every gas station had a Hydrogen pump. Seems to be far less expensive when the ecosystem catches up. Ice plans to have a large percentage of Hydrogen by 2010!!!

Right now, all public transit is Hydrogen and it is far cheaper than the US$9+ I paid per gallon!

It is all economics in the end -- Oil is now far cheaper, but I am glad a luxury/performance provider is looking to the future. There is a segment of US population who made their money by smart business and personal decisions and this caters to it.
Cheers.

[Phil Van Steenburgh]

Vik, good thoughts on Iceland. Unfortunately, the U.S. can't completely mimic their innovation because Iceland's energy source comes from their unique geothermal resources. Iceland sits atop a "goldmine" of volcanic magma that provides limitless heat energy.

If we in the States are going to generate hydrogen from a clean energy source, we're going to have to press solar/wind, since, last time I checked, there aren't any lava pools in my backyard. I'm optimistic though...innovation has always proved capable to meet our challenges.

[Mrgreen]

well, how long does it takes to bring this technologie to all people?
U should read about hydrogen on this webblog.

http://www.clubofpioneers.com/blog/blog-from-carl-jochen-winter/8/

[Don A]

Congratulations to BMW for having the courage to take a big step forward. After reading the technical specifications for the Hydrogen7, this dual fuel car is a logical way to go for the near term until the US establishes hydrogen refueling stations as they are doing in Europe. I hope that BMW follows up with Hydrogen power in smaller BMW series as they progress and refine their Hydrogen 7 series. We may all look back in a decade or so and thank BMW for developing this technology when gasoline continues to rise to unaffordable (and maybe unobtainable) levels.
Don A