Depending on the type of drive system used, the energy stored in hydrogen can be converted into two forms of energy for driving a car: either through a conventional combustion engine serving to convert this energy directly into drive power or through so-called 'cold' combustion in a fuel cell generating electrical energy. BMW uses both of these options. Mainly focusing on combustion power, at the same time BMW sees the fuel cell as a source of energy supplying electric power to the on-board network in place of a conventional alternator and offering brand-new options in the provision of air conditioning to the car as well as other similar functions.

BMW has worked hard for international leadership in hydrogen technology throughout over 25 years of research and development. The focus in this process has been not only on engine technology, but also on the recovery, storage and transfer of hydrogen into the car itself. With this in mind, BMW is currently contributing to the support of two hydrogen filling stations.

Pursuing BMW Group's BMW CleanEnergy Energy Strategy, BMW researchers and engineers have focused not only on the hydrogen combustion engine, but also on other alterative drive concepts, developing promising technologies in the process.

Find out more about the development of hydrogen as an energy source, from the 1700s when Henry Cavendish discovered that the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen could form water, to the development of the BMW Hydrogen 7 car and beyond with the Hydrogen Timeline.

Hydrogen Timeline

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