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BMW launches second-generation Hydrogen 7

BMW launches second-generation Hydrogen 7

Kenneth Hall April 1st, 2008 Kenneth Hall By Kenneth Hall Author April 1st, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 Two years after the release of the original Hydrogen 7 ultra-clean limo, BMW has taken the wraps off a new ‘mono-fuel’ version that unlike the previous car, which had dual-fuel capability, is strictly limited to running on hydrogen. Also, the new car has almost zero-emissions, is more economical, has more power under the hood and is kinder to the environment than its predecessor. Perhaps the most important news is that the new mono-fuel 7-series isn't just a pipe dream either - the model presented was a demonstration production vehicle that will be delivered to customers on a trial basis. The battle between different alternative-fuel technologies has begun in earnest, with electric, hydrogen, fuel cell and biofuel vehicles all making it difficult to predict which technology will gain supremacy on the fuel station forecourt - but the BMW does have one little extra thing going for it: Thomas Wallner, a mechanical engineer, explains "the car's engine actively cleans the air" and that "testing shows that the Hydrogen 7's V12 engine actually shows emissions levels for certain gases that are cleaner than the ambient air that comes into the car's engine." Other carmakers question BMW’s decision to develop combustion engines that run on hydrogen but BMW believes the technology serves as a stepping stone to the eventual adoption of a full hydrogen society where internal combustion engines could be replaced with fuel cell technology.
BMW launches second-generation Hydrogen 7

BMW launches second-generation Hydrogen 7

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Two years after the release of the original Hydrogen 7 ultra-clean limo, BMW has taken the wraps off a new ‘mono-fuel’ version that unlike the previous car, which had dual-fuel capability, is strictly limited to running on hydrogen. Also, the new car has almost zero-emissions, is more economical, has more power under the hood and is kinder to the environment than its predecessor. Perhaps the most important news is that the new mono-fuel 7-series isn't just a pipe dream either - the model presented was a demonstration production vehicle that will be delivered to customers on a trial basis.

The battle between different alternative-fuel technologies has begun in earnest, with electric, hydrogen, fuel cell and biofuel vehicles all making it difficult to predict which technology will gain supremacy on the fuel station forecourt - but the BMW does have one little extra thing going for it:

Thomas Wallner, a mechanical engineer, explains "the car's engine actively cleans the air" and that "testing shows that the Hydrogen 7's V12 engine actually shows emissions levels for certain gases that are cleaner than the ambient air that comes into the car's engine."

Other carmakers question BMW’s decision to develop combustion engines that run on hydrogen but BMW believes the technology serves as a stepping stone to the eventual adoption of a full hydrogen society where internal combustion engines could be replaced with fuel cell technology.

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Posted in: BMW, News, Hybrid


Comments (8 total)

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  1. By Gus #1, Posted: 4/1/2008

    I prefer apple for my pie in the sky.

    And many cars already clean the air as they drive, especially in smoggy areas.

    I mean, of course it would be great if every car were like this, but it just seems like such a huge infrastracture change. Maybe someday...

  2. By chris #2, Posted: 4/1/2008

    wait... what car (besides this one aparently) cleans the air? must be one of those ZEV's that you californians drive right?

    I thought the first one was a great idea, just like "flex fuel" engines. making one that is strictly hydrogen... maybe not the best choice.

    but then again, this is one of those cars that picks you, not the other way around. if it's anything like the first, only 100 will be made at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars each, and given to people in holywood to drive around in.

  3. By SuperSkyline89 #3, Posted: 4/1/2008

    Actually Gus is right. I saw an episode of Top Gear once and Jeremy was saying that some car actually has cleaner exhaust air than the air going into the engine. Not sure what car it was but I do remember it was a Subaru or Mitsubishi or something like that.

  4. By clarksonguy #4, Posted: 4/1/2008

    it was the 911 977 turbo review

  5. By Gus #5, Posted: 4/1/2008

    I have heard that something like the honda Civic ULEV motor, in an extremely smoggy environment such as downtown LA or Dallas in the summer, actually filters out and burns some of the pollutants it inhales...

    But yes, this car will be far too expensive to make any difference. The problem though with Hydrogen are all the scientists who consider it totally unfeasable, for reasosns of Hydrogen creation costs, etc. (Check out Scientific American from a few months back).

    My money is still on either quick-charging electric (easy infrastructure change, most refueling stations today have electricity, last I checked) or cellulosic ethanol. Obviously both require some technological steps forward, but I see those happeneing quicker than somehow building 10's of thousands of dedicated Hydrogen stations and supply pipes, many of which people are going to be frightened of for a very long time. Just wait until someone produces a youtube video of what happens to a tank or pipe of regular hydrogen gas when it's ignited. People remember the shuttle accident a little too well, say nothing of the Hindenburg (and yes, I know it was the skin that burned, but most people don't)...

  6. By ink Master #6, Posted: 4/2/2008

    Just shame that it'll be decades and decades till everyday people can afford cars w/ such tech... also how much does it cost to produce the hydrogen? if the plant is powered by coal or burning of some other fossil fuels, then it kinda makes it all irrelevant in the end since its the same amount of crap in the air...

  7. By ink Master #7, Posted: 4/2/2008

    oh yeah, forgot to add --- just as Gus, my bets are on full electrical plug-ins - especially if theres some major breakthrough w/ batteries within next few years

  8. By Petian #8, Posted: 4/2/2008

    Hey guys, isn't this article on the new Hydrogen 7 an April Fools' Day hoax?

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