BMW presents next-generation hydrogen storage tank

Posted Tue Jun 3 2008 9:44 AM by James Martinez

BMW’s research division, Forschung und Technik, has developed a next-generation hydrogen fuel storage system for cars and in the process has allowed the carmaker to edge closer to the volume production of hydrogen powered vehicles. Teaming up with partners, including Air Liquide, Daimler AG, Dynetek Europe and Ford, engineers have developed a new type of tank made of advanced composite materials that’s much safer than previous designs.

Its lightweight construction also means the weight of the entire tank system can be reduced to one third that of conventional cylindrical steel tanks. Another added benefit of composite construction is that the shape of the tank can be molded to suit any vehicle, once again reducing cost and adding flexibility.

Filled with ten kilograms of hydrogen, its creators think it could allow a range well in excess of 350 miles in a future vehicle. In comparison, the current Hydrogen7 only has a range of 100 miles.

BMW will take its hydrogen focus a step further by constructing a 4,500 gallon fueling station near its U.S. headquarters in New Jersey for a fleet of new hydrogen-powered cars.

Reader Comments

Tue Jun 3 2008 9:54 AM
Gus says

Well, it's always good to see new tech.
Maybe someday.
But first we need to figure out how to make cheap Hydrogen, I think...
Tue Jun 3 2008 10:18 AM
chris says

more like, figure out how to produce clean electricity to allow for the production of large amounts of hydrogen.
Tue Jun 3 2008 11:47 AM
Ivan says

I bet this tank alone costs more than Civic. Hydrogen cars will never reach masses.
Tue Jun 3 2008 12:20 PM
alex says

^thats what they said about PC's.......
Tue Jun 3 2008 12:54 PM
InkMaster says

I'm actually interested in how much power hydrogen production requires. If not too horribly much it'd be interesting to see small stations which can be fitted in a regular home and powered using solar panels on the roof :) Something like that would be ideal
Tue Jun 3 2008 6:25 PM
Gus says

alex, good point.

Ink, as long as the sun is shining...

I think Hydrogen production is pretty electricity intensive, so unless you're using nuclear power, it's going to be tough to produce in big quantities.
Then there's the scare-factor. Everyone I talk to about a Hydrogen car seems to think it will blow up any minute. There's that whole Hindenburg-Challenger image...
Wed Jun 4 2008 1:14 AM
David says

While it is true that it is possible to produce hydrogen using electrolysis, right now this method is not feasible since it requires to much energy (electricity used vs hydrogen gained). The large majority of all hydrogen is produced using steam reformation, i.e. methane mixed with water is converted to CO2 and H2. While this doesn't solve the greenhouse dilema, it does reduce the cars local emissions to watervapour.

MotorAuthority