BMW & Toyota Are Reportedly Working On Hydrogen-Powered SUVs Together

As the automotive industry looks to clean up its act and move towards greener sources of energy, hydrogen has appeared as a frontrunner, with Renault recently unveiling a concept car powered by the abundant element.

Now, to spearhead the charge further, big names BMW and Toyota are reportedly teaming up to develop and mass produce fuel cell SUVs, with the first vehicle model possibly coming as soon as 2025.

Speaking to Nikkei, a BMW official said German companies have been privy to the benefits of hydrogen fuel cell cars, especially for larger SUVs. As such, partnering Toyota to work on the solution was an obvious choice, considering the company has been working on the technology from as early as the 1990s. 

In addition to the ongoing project, BMW revealed it will be amping up its shift to electric cars, with the automaker aiming for 50% of its worldwide sales—including the Mini and Rolls-Royce brands—to be made up of such vehicles by 2030.

The company emphasized it was looking into various technologies, including battery electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells, and efficient combustion engines, so as to not put all of its eggs in one basket. 

[via Nikkei and Hindustan Times Auto, cover image via BMW]