Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger traveled to Nuremberg in a BMW prototype powered by a fuel cell for the “Potential of Hydrogen in a Decarbonized Energy Economy” conference.Â
Aiwanger was briefed by Dr. Jürgen Guldner, BMW’s head of the department for hydrogen, on the prospects of fuel cell technology.
Guldner drove the BMW 5 Series Gran Tourismo, which is currently in test mode. “I am convinced that hydrogen technology will prevail over the long haul. In five to ten years’ time, we’ll have a decent gas station infrastructure and green hydrogen vehicles on the way, “said Aiwanger, who fueled the car himself.
Aiwanger: “Hydrogen technology will prevail”
The BMW prototype is equipped with a fuel cell in the engine compartment and a small battery (80 kilos) in the rear, which is powered by the fuel cell and an energy recovery technology. This makes the car lighter than a battery-powered vehicle. BMW department head Guldner explained to Aiwanger that the exhaust air of the prototype is cleaner than the outside air.
Guldner: “Before being used in the fuel cell, the intake of air is cleaned of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and pollen in a filter and then released just pure water through the tailpipe.”
In his keynote lecture at the conference “Hydrogen.Bayern (H2.B)”, Aiwanger said that the state government is promoting the engines of the future in a technologically open manner. Aiwanger: “In addition to the battery, the fuel cell will play an important role and the next step is to massively expand the hydrogen filling station network.
Source: Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development, and Energy
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