BMW 7 Hydrogen

BMW has introduced the Serie 7 Hydrogen with dual mode (hydrogen or gasoline) combustion engine. This powerplant is based on the BMW 7 Series twelve cylinder petrol engine displacing 6,0 litre and featuring VALVETRONIC technology allowing to adjust fuel admission and ignition automatically to the fuel different properties.

BMW has choosen hydrogen use in internal combustion engine because the technology is readily available with existing engine management systems. Hydrogen is stored in liquid form at – 253°C  jn an insulated tank holding up to 8 kg hydrogen. This quantity allows up to 200 km range. An additional 74 litre capacity gasoline tank provide an extra 500 km range and allows to adjust for the present limited number hydrogen stations.

In order to offset  the extra weight of the hydrogen system, BMW has developped an hybrid structure body made of carbon fibre composite and steel.  The available trunk is reduced by the positioning of the hydrogen storage behind the back seats. Rules and regulations concerning admittance of hydrogen propelled car in parking and garage varies in different countries: to afford customers a degree of clarity, the BMW Group has therefore excluded the possibility of parking in garages.