As a pioneer in luxury automotive manufacturing, Rolls-Royce Motors is considering a strategic shift in its powertrain technology. Torsten Müller-Tvös, the company’s CEO, recently suggested that conventional battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) might soon be replaced by fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) once the technology becomes more advanced.
During a car show in Italy, the CEO discussed hydrogen’s potential as a future energy source. The use of hydrogen fuel cells as an alternative form of battery technology has been described by Müller-Tvös, but he noted that this transition depends on the maturity of FCEVs before it can proceed. This would mark a significant shift in the company’s evolution, as the brand could “exit batteries” and pivot to hydrogen fuel cells.
In its latest launch, Rolls-Royce released the Spectre, its first all-electric vehicle. It is powered by a 120kWh battery, the largest battery in the automotive industry. In the future, the CEO noted, however, that hydrogen may be considered as an alternative fuel source due to Rolls-Royce vehicles’ unique positioning and usage patterns.
Despite the discussion around hydrogen, Müller-Ötvös ruled out investing in hydrogen internal combustion engines (ICEs). Having tested the technology many years ago for BMW, he stated that it did not utilize hydrogen to its fullest potential.
BMW recenly launched its iX5 Hydrogen, a fuel cell prototype that demonstrated the technical maturity of fuel cell systems and according to Müller-Tvös, the technology holds promise, noting that Rolls-Royce cars are typically not used for long-distance travel.
However, the CEO acknowledged a significant hurdle for hydrogen propulsion: the current lack of a robust hydrogen infrastructure, unlike the established electric charging network. Many Rolls-Royce owners already have home charging systems, making BEVs a convenient option. Despite these challenges, Rolls-Royce is closely monitoring developments in hydrogen fuelling infrastructure, keeping the door open for a future where luxury goes hand-in-hand with hydrogen fuel cells.
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