BMW and Toyota are set to deepen their collaboration on hydrogen fuel-cell technology as global demand for electric vehicles shows signs of stabilising. According to reports, the two automotive giants will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during a media roundtable on September 5, marking a significant step forward in their joint efforts to develop
Under this new partnership, Toyota will supply BMW with hydrogen tanks and fuel cell systems for BMW’s next-generation hydrogen vehicles. These components will be paired with BMW’s in-house electric motors and drive units to create a complete hydrogen fuel-cell drivetrain. The collaboration is expected to reduce production costs for BMW, especially for models like the iX5 Hydrogen prototype, which was recently tested in Australia.
For Toyota, the partnership will help increase economies of scale for hydrogen components, which remain costly due to low production volumes. Both companies are also expected to benefit from joint efforts to expand hydrogen infrastructure in Europe, where there are currently only 270 refuelling stations.
This collaboration builds on a history of successful partnerships between BMW and Toyota. The two companies previously worked together on low-volume vehicle projects, most notably the Toyota Supra, which shares its platform and engines with BMW’s Z4 roadster.