BMW developing all-electric car

Posted Fri Feb 1 2008 3:17 AM by Ralph Hanson

BMW has always backed hydrogen as the power source of the future but that doesn’t mean it’s completely ruled out alternatives such as electric vehicles and petrol-electric hybrids. In fact, BMW plans to keep its options open. Not only has it already unveiled the Hydrogen7 limo and X6 EfficientDynamics hybrid concept (pictured), but now the head of its clean-energy technology division has revealed that electric powertrains are also being investigated.

Speaking with Drive, Jochen Schmalholz, told reporters that hydrogen fuelled cars won’t be around for another 15-20 years. The biggest problem is not the technology but the lack of infrastructure. At present there are only five liquid-hydrogen refuelling stations in the entire world, one in the U.S. and four in Germany, and this is the biggest hurdle to the hydrogen car, Schmalholz explained.

The solution will be to switch to electric cars in the meantime. Something BMW is preparing for. According to Schmalholz, engineers are working on an electric vehicle but there are no production plans in place yet."We will only bring this if it makes sense," he says. "At the moment we are not really convinced it will work for BMW. But if it makes commercial sense and it makes sense to our customers, then we will do it."

Could this mean an all-electric RWD car with sporty characteristics, perfect 50-50 weight distribution, and all the luxury expected in a premium car? We certainly hope so.

Reader Comments

Fri Feb 1 2008 9:51 AM
Baumm III says

Well, could it be that this project and the fourth brand rumors are linked?
Will we see ISETTA brand coming back, selling EV cars?
To lower BMW COÂ² level below the 130grs as requested by EU....
Fri Feb 1 2008 11:46 AM
chris says

GD IT BMW FRIGGEN DO IT. I'm convinced you're the only company that can make a mainstream electric car, make it sexy, and make it so that it makes monetary sense for at least a big enough market that this becomes a consideration for most people.

I've got my hopes high for the Volt, and if it's even half the car that they say it will be then it will sell. but BMW, you can set the bar high. DO IT.
Fri Feb 1 2008 2:06 PM
Gus says

As for Hydrogen, "The biggest problem is not the technology but the lack of infrastructure" - I'd also say that a general perception of Hydrogen being dangerous is a big hurdle as well. It's the first thing people seem to mention when asked if they would buy one.
I've said it before and I'll say it again; Until electric cars can be charged as (or almost as) quickly as a car can be refeuled, and go the same range, it will not take off in huge numbers here.
And the inability for many (most?) people to have access to a power plug on their dime remains a huge hurdle as well.
Sat Feb 2 2008 8:31 AM
danny says

I once got a short drive in the Hydrogen 7, it's a brilliant car. An EV would be a great natural progression for BMW.
Sun Jun 29 2008 7:02 PM
Rudolph says

God Bless the German people - the world (and that means ALL of us) need your brillant engineering skills to survive. DEUTSCHE-LAND rules!!!

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