BMW has begun deploying its initial fleet of hydrogen-powered 7-Series sedans to high-profile people like celebrities and politicians. Bruce Gain of Wired News got a chance to get behind the wheel of a Hydrogen 7 for a road test.
“The test drive confirmed the vehicles are road-ready,” writes Gain. “At 110 mph along the highway on the outskirts of Berlin the sedan handles much like the German luxury carmaker’s flagship BMW 7 Series model, on which it is based.” Switching between gasoline and hydrogen modes in a breeze. “The car switches from hydrogen to gas mode with the press of a button on the steering wheel. I heard a small click from behind the backseat without any change in my speed or acceleration along the highway.”
Of course, there are still problems that need to be addressed. “At $10.30 per kilogram, hydrogen fuel is no bargain,” explains Gain. Of course, as infrastructure grows and production increases this will change. Another limitation is range — you can only go 120 miles on the hydrogen tank. But if the Hydrogen 7 didn’t need to have a gasoline tank as well, range would clearly be much longer. BMW “concedes its Hydrogen 7 production car is just a start” — but it’s a good one.
11/14, 10:26 AM
posted by:
angelo
Having both fuels gives the owners a travelling flexibility. How much range is there on gasoline? Could they program the nav computer to alert you to hydrogen stations in the upcoming areas? Also, what would the hydrogen-only range be if the gasoline tank was gone? Is there any trunk space left with the two tanks installed? Too many questions, not enough answers.
11/14, 11:23 AM
posted by:
04focus
Click through the link to the original article. It appears that 1) 300 miles on gasoline 2) 120 miles on hydrogen only and 3) No, there’s not much trunk space left.
11/14, 12:08 PM
posted by:
A4
04focus i think he meant what would the range be if you maximized the capacity of the hydrogen tank after removing the gasoline tank. this is the best hydrogen solution for the next 15 years at least.
11/14, 2:42 PM
posted by:
Egbert Souse
Go BMW!
11/14, 4:10 PM
posted by:
InvisibleEcho
Sure, it’s a nice start. Still isn’t a fuel cell, though.
11/14, 4:57 PM
posted by:
dinomite
This article has a picture of the trunk about half way down the page; looks like there isn’t much left (a couple of overnight bags would fit), and it apparently swallows a few inches of rear legroom, too.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/14/bmw-hydrogen-7-road-test-a-good-start/#comments
11/14, 4:57 PM
posted by:
dinomite
WHOOOPS, that should be a link to this:
http://www.thecarconnection.com/Auto_News/Green_Car_News/BMW_Betting_on_Hydrogen_7-Series.S196.A11083.html
11/14, 5:23 PM
posted by:
GL1
Hmmm interesting…
11/14, 5:41 PM
posted by:
saleenguy
Why don’t they use fuel cells?
11/14, 6:35 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Excellent job, BMW! I applaud all efforts to promote Hydrogen vehicles
11/15, 5:51 AM
posted by:
J.A.N.E.
Didn’t Christy Turlington have a H powered BMW in Florida?Didn’t it blow up or something and start a massive fire?Some years back?~slamming the door(hard)~
11/16, 4:07 PM
posted by:
LamborghiniZ
Oh really, 1c3d0g, all efforts? Even Honda and Toyota’s efforts? You probably don’t applaud their effords simply because they are Japanese, even though they’re arguably trying the hardest