{"id":43916,"date":"2023-02-28T17:53:04","date_gmt":"2023-02-28T22:53:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=43916"},"modified":"2023-02-28T17:53:04","modified_gmt":"2023-02-28T22:53:04","slug":"bmw-ix5-hydrogen-coolest-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=43916","title":{"rendered":"BMW iX5 Hydrogen: “Next Coolest Car to Drive”, says CEO Oliver Zipse"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cWhen we started our first battery electric vehicles, people ask us \u2018what is the joy in driving?\u2019 and of course, now there\u2019s even more joy in driving than with the normal combustion engine, and the same thing is here,\u201d Oliver Zipse, BMW CEO states. A bold claim that follows a select group of journalists driving the iX5 Hydrogen for the first time. But no one can accuse him of burying the lead. It accurately sets the stage for this closed-door meeting with one of the most influential men in the auto industry.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s no secret that BMW is all-in on hydrogen-powered vehicles. The new BMW iX5 Hydrogen<\/a> will be tested in small fleets worldwide very soon. Buoyed by parts-sharing with like-minded Toyota, a production series seems imminent. Here are some highlights from our meeting with Zipse.<\/p>\n

Betting on hydrogen also<\/h2>\n

Sometimes, it pays to be direct. \u201cWe think hydrogen is a missing link, which is not so obvious,\u201d Zipse states. While he\u2019s certain that electric vehicles will catch on \u2013 even swallowing up to 60% of market share in some countries \u2013 there is more to the story. The scarcity and pricing of raw materials will become worrisome. Charging infrastructure will be challenging and still limiting in rural areas, despite millions of battery electric vehicles on the road. The BMW boss thinks we\u2019ll start seeing ramifications as early as 2027 or 2028. That\u2019s where hydrogen comes in.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Zipse compares the BMW iX5 Hydrogen to the 2008\u2019s MINI E trial. \u201cIt was the coolest thing in the world, says Zipse about the MINI E<\/a>. \u201cWhen we started with our first MINI electric in 2008, absolutely no one even thought about driving an electric car\u201d, added the BMW boss. \u201cSeven years later, [driving an electric car] was the coolest thing on earth. Now we go into into the adoption of the market, it\u2019s become a normality to drive electric. We believe, especially for a premium car brand like BMW, [hydrogen] is probably going to be the next coolest thing to drive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zipse points out the advantages hydrogen offers. It uses fewer raw materials and offers a smaller, lighter battery. \u201cYou can more or less use the same infrastructure we use today,\u201d he states. Furthermore, he envisions that it will eventually power many different vehicles. \u201cAlmost all industries will [be able] to use it\u2026ships, airplanes. So, the incentive to scale it up is much bigger,\u201d he says, citing that the charging structure only affects cars.<\/p>\n

Still on Electromobility<\/h2>\n

Despite his strong feelings about hydrogen, Zipse reminds us that BMW will still make EVs for the foreseeable future. \u201cWe\u2019re still on electromobility,\u201d Zipse says when asked about lessons learned through EV marketing. \u201cWe just started \u2013 less than 10% market share worldwide.\u201d However, he thinks that number will increase significantly \u2013 slowly reflecting leading markets like Norway and California.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t get us wrong, there will always be battery electric vehicles. It will always be the dominant leg. We\u2019re not talking about replacement of.\u201d But he thinks hydrogen vehicles will offer more options to customers without widespread access to charging or \u201cwho deem it for themselves as necessary or positive to drive a hydrogen vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ramping Up Hydrogen<\/h2>\n

A question regarding the Inflation Reduction Act in the United States prompts Zipse to talk a little bit more about infrastructure. \u201cEvery region in the world is investing heavily large scale into hydrogen. Not for cars \u2013 that\u2019s not the point. I think trucks and ships will be on the front runner side.\u201d He thinks this widespread investment is a big push for change. It seems inevitable \u2013 at least, BMW hopes \u2013 that it will spread to the auto industry.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery technology evolves every day,\u201d Zipse tells a journalist wondering why hydrogen didn\u2019t launch into production fifteen years ago. \u201cElectric car is not completely new, but the trigger point was mass production of lithium ion cells,\u201d he remarks. \u201cWithout that, you wouldn\u2019t have the cars today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rescuing the Combustion Engine<\/h2>\n

Upon being asked about the possibility of synthetic fuels, he\u2019s almost dismissive. \u201cYou need that to rescue the combustion engine after 2035. That\u2019s not a big problem. Europe has 260 million cars on the road. New car sales is between ten and 15 million. The problem is the existing fleet, and not new car sales.\u201d He goes on to say that it would be tough \u2013 strictly judging from regulations already in place \u2013 to see viability. \u201cIs that the picture we have in our sight of the future? To drive old cars forever, is that the picture you have in your mind? Not in my mind,\u201d he says. \u201cThis is old technology, which at that time was superior, but ten years later it\u2019s super old and emitting a lot of CO2.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, don\u2019t count on synthetic fuels anytime soon. Zipse is open to ICE tech being around as long as possible but thinks emissions restrictions are larger than life. And electric-only isn\u2019t going to work on a long enough timeline. \u201cCO2 reduction will be the main force in all countries in this world for the next 20 years. And you should try to use all [the options] you have \u2013 not only one.\u201d<\/p>\n