BMW Previews H2 System

BMW showed an engine that is capable of running on either gasoline or hydrogen as well as an in-vehicle liquid hydrogen storage system at the recent 17th NHA Annual Hydrogen Conference in Long Beach, California. Both systems will reportedly go into service in a limited-production 7-Series model in about two years. A few hundred of the bi-fuel 7-Series sedans are expected to be produced initially, though BMW's stated goal for the long-term is to offer hydrogen engines in its entire lineup.

In developing the hydrogen-capable engine, BMW claims output levels of over 230 hp have been achieved running on hydrogen fuel, with more development still to go. The bi-fuel design means that the engine can be switched between hydrogen and gasoline, achieving the driving range of conventional vehicles while enabling the use of liquid hydrogen fuel where available. The hydrogen is stored in a supercooled liquid state to achieve high energy density. To maintain liquid hydrogen at a constant temperature of -423 F, the dual-walled fuel tank is insulated using state-of-the-art technology. Between the tank's two walls, there are approximately 70 layers of aluminum-coated synthetic foil under high vacuum.