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The Ultimate
Driving Machine®
Hydrogen 7
Responsibility with Performance
The BMW Hydrogen 7
©2006 BMW of North America, LLC.
The BMW name and logo are registered trademarks. Printed in USA 4627-1106-100
The Ultimate
Driving Machine®
Power without end:
Hydrogen is the energy
source of the future.
People the world over are dreaming of a better future
based on energy derived from hydrogen. The tiniest
molecule in the universe could solve the Earth’s greatest
problems: dependence on fossil fuels, coupled with
global warming from steadily rising carbon dioxide
emissions. The fact is that fossil reserves, such as oil,
natural gas and coal, are in decline. Nobody knows
precisely when, but one day these resources will have
ebbed away. At the same time, mankind’s energy
requirements are growing. It seems only sensible to
look around for alternatives before it is too late.
Researchers and energy experts agree that hydrogen
is the up-and-coming energy carrier. It is the simplest,
oldest and most common element in the universe. The
Earth harbors a virtually endless store of hydrogen in
the form of the compound H2O, or water. One way of
extracting pure hydrogen from water is through electrolysis.
This requires electricity, which can be derived from
such renewable sources as sun, wind or water power,
among others. This hydrogen could then be transported
anywhere for conversion into energy by engines or fuel
cells. Industry already consumes around 6.5 trillion
cubic feet of hydrogen a year in a wide range
of applications.
When hydrogen is recombined with oxygen, a highenergy reaction occurs. In the BMW engine, the hydrogen
is burned with the same controlled precision as a
conventional air-fuel mixture. But there’s one key
difference: when hydrogen gas is burned in optimal
conditions, the only significant emission is pure water
vapor. BMW has a long and unrivaled experience
in hydrogen technology, and has been actively
committed to promoting “sustainable mobility”
since the 1980s.
CleanEnergy
BMW Hydrogen 7:
Running on clean,
sustainable energy.
The future lies in a silver-blue BMW 7 Series Sedan. The
future. In hydrogen mode, the engine runs entirely on
The Hydrogen 7 could, in fact, run exclusively on hydrogen.
in ride smoothness, so passengers remain unaware that
engineering in this automobile makes it one of the rarest
hydrogen. Its combustion generates hardly any harmful
The challenge is there aren’t enough hydrogen refueling
anything unusual is happening.
production cars in the world. Unlike cool sports cars and
emissions, and the exhaust emits a little haze of water vapor.
stations. So the engine of this new BMW has been
extravagant luxury sedans, this new car doesn’t have people
stopping in their tracks and peering with curiosity through
the windows. At first glance there isn’t anything unusual
about the luxurious interior, and the engine purrs quite normally.
However, what sets this car apart is the small button on the
steering wheel, labeled “H2.” Even BMW aficionados could
Engineers around the world have been researching vehicles
with hydrogen drivetrains for decades. BMW took on the
challenge and has become a dedicated pioneer in hydrogen
technology, committed to driving this development forward.
That’s why BMW has now taken the decisive step.
designed to also run on gasoline when necessary.
Once one fuel tank is empty, the engine switches fuel
automatically – the driver doesn’t have to do a thing. The
fuel in the two tanks gives the vehicle a combined range of
425 miles: 125 miles running on hydrogen and more than
Series production of the Hydrogen 7 starts at the end of
will between gasoline and hydrogen simply by pressing
and a number, but they stand for a daring, trailblazing concept
the year with a limited-production run at BMW’s Dingolfing
the H2 button on the steering wheel. There is no change
that has led to an extraordinary feat of engineering,
plant in Bavaria. These vehicles will not be sold on the open
unequalled anywhere in the world.
market. Instead, they will be made available to influential
is the most common element in our universe, considered
by many to be a fuel with a big future. Experts predict cars
will run on hydrogen when the oil wells dry up. Drivers of
the new BMW Hydrogen 7 are already embarking on this
public figures who, by driving these near-zero-emission
BMWs, will demonstrate the start of an exciting new era
of clean energy.
been working hard to make the BMW Hydrogen 7 this easy
to use. This extraordinary sedan is the first hydrogen-powered
automobile in the luxury class to pass through the standard
development process for volume production.
300 miles on gasoline. In addition, the driver can switch at
be forgiven for not noticing it right away. H2 – just a letter
H2 is the designation for the hydrogen molecule. Hydrogen
Over the past few years, several hundred engineers have
The BMW Hydrogen 7 is nearly emission-free.
What escapes from the exhaust: just a small
cloud of water vapor.
Nestled under the hood of the BMW Hydrogen 7 is a 12-cylinder engine with an output of 260 horsepower.
Of course, comfort levels and driving pleasure are what you would expect of a luxury-class BMW.
Hydrogen is the most plentiful
element on our planet. As a
component of water, it covers
two-thirds of the Earth.
The technology:
The two fuel tanks are situated at the
rear of the car. The upper tank holds
17.5 pounds of liquid hydrogen, and
the lower one, 16 gallons of gasoline.
There is a separate filler pipe with
a special coupling for the hydrogen,
which is chilled to around -418°F.
A control unit monitors the storage of
liquid hydrogen and the consumption
of gaseous hydrogen. The tank is
extremely well insulated, and has
successfully undergone comprehensive
crash tests. The 12-cylinder engine
burns both hydrogen and gasoline –
the driver can switch from one to the
other simply by pressing a button on
the steering wheel.
The technology has been tried and tested – in the heat of Death Valley, in the chill of the Arctic Circle, and out on the racetrack.
Carl-August von Kospoth, Head of Project Management,
drawing on our experience in automotive construction,” reported
engine. Hydrogen gas requires an enlarged intake manifold,
dedicated electronic systems. Further high technology is
commented, “Despite a track record of five generations in
Kospoth. “Sometimes, we simply had to get down to the drawing
which leads to a more pronounced curvature in the hood –
focused on the choice of materials that will allow the valves to
hydrogen research vehicles, when you embark on volume
board and develop something completely new. That’s the only
hence, the sporty “power dome.”
withstand the wide temperature range of -418° to 176°F.
production, it takes you into a completely new dimension.
reason we now know what is feasible from an engineering
Suddenly you no longer have a dozen specialists working on
perspective, what it’s going to cost, and where the limits are.”
The biggest challenge for the BMW design engineers was
Creating a unique, new engine and fuel tank was just the start
the development, integration and testing of the hydrogen tank.
of BMW’s trailblazing work. Passenger protection in the event
The most important factors were the tank and re-engineering
Hydrogen gas has very high levels of energy in relation to its
of an accident also meets BMW’s rigorous production standards.
the 760Li’s 12-cylinder engine into a powerplant that would
weight, while also being extremely light. So the tank would have
Taking into account the effect of the second tank’s increased
run on both hydrogen and gasoline. The gasoline-powered 12-
to be much bigger than a gasoline tank in order to hold a
weight on the rear axle, the design of the chassis was revised
cylinder engine operates with a variety of innovations, such as
sufficient amount of gaseous hydrogen. This is impractical in
and retuned, and the passenger cabin strengthened. And this
VANOS camshaft adjustment, Valvetronic variable valve drive,
a luxury-performance automobile. However, the tank could be
was the first time that BMW engineers used carbon-fiber-
and gasoline injected directly into the cylinders. This provides
much smaller – if it were able to withstand high pressure and
reinforced plastic for the side panels of a series car.
the ideal basis for a powertrain using two different fuels. No
hold liquid hydrogen. At -418° Fahrenheit, hydrogen becomes
other engine has this high level of variability for preparing the
a liquid and shrinks to about one-thousandth the volume.
the project, but hundreds of engineers from many different
disciplines.” Like any other new BMW, the Hydrogen 7 has
gone through the complete development and testing process.
Its dynamic performance has been tested on the Nürburgring
racetrack, while all its systems have had to withstand the searing
heat of Death Valley as well as the deep chill of the polar
regions. BMW set up a dedicated hydrogen infrastructure with
mobile fuel stations, workshops and test rigs to facilitate global
testing – otherwise, this all would have remained a pipe dream.
The hydrogen tanks meet the most stringent safety requirements
and have passed all standard crash tests.
Authorization for volume production is the key moment in
series development, as far as engineers like von Kospoth are
concerned. “Any engineer stands or falls by the dependability
and safety of the components. Engineers reflect extremely
carefully on what they are designing and how the concept is
developed. Great emphasis is placed on testing to ensure that
the finished product will be effective under all possible conditions
when cars are in everyday use.” Some areas were virgin territory.
“This was a vehicle where we didn’t always have the luxury of
fuel-air mix, delivering a flexible fuel supply to the engine’s
High technology operates under cover in the Hydrogen 7.
Refueling with hydrogen takes only a little longer than gasoline,
The tank for the BMW Hydrogen 7 holds 17.5 lb. of liquid
and requires a special tank connection similar to the semi-
hydrogen. An elongated cylinder lying between the trunk and
automatic fueling systems used in Formula 1 racing. On the
Despite the optimum conditions offered by the V-12 engine,
the rear seat, it is comprised of an inner tank and an outer tank,
road, the Hydrogen 7’s performance is what you would expect
BMW engineers had to develop and test a lot of details from
connected by carbon-fiber composite material, with a vacuum
from a BMW: pure driving pleasure, with the same dynamic
scratch. One aspect was the extremely high combustion
in the space between the two tanks. The inner tank is encased
response as a conventional engine. The small difference is
temperature of hydrogen. As a result, the engine requires two
in 40 thin layers of aluminum foil, which provides insulation
in the H2 button – and that’s a big step forward.
control units and a special piston with cooling channels to
equivalent to a Styrofoam jacket 56 feet wide.
combustion chambers and ensuring precise control of combustion.
withstand these high temperatures. Modified valve rings are
also needed, since hydrogen gas does not contain carbon,
which, at this point, would normally act as a lubricant. Anyone
looking at the front of the Hydrogen 7 will notice a design detail
created to accommodate one of the special needs of the new
While the vehicle is moving, the hydrogen evaporates in the
tank in a controlled manner, generating a slight positive
pressure. This transports the gaseous hydrogen to the engine.
All the processes carried out around the tank are controlled by
www.bmw.com/cleanenergy
Comfort levels and the
driving experience are right up
there in the BMW luxury class.
Updates
Dawning of a new era
Hydrogen is the future: around the world, more and
more projects and initiatives are taking off.
World’s third-largest solar powerplant
under construction in Nevada.
On February 11, 2006, the U.S. energy project group
Solargenix laid the foundation stone for the construction
of a new solar power station in Boulder City, Nevada.
Once completed, “Nevada Solar One” will be the thirdlargest facility of its kind in the world, with a power output
of 64 megawatts. It is scheduled to go on-stream in
March 2007 and will provide enough current to supply
around 40,000 households. At the heart of the plant are
19,300 ultramodern solar receivers manufactured by the
German technology group Schott. These solar receivers
will help achieve a more efficient use of solar power,
19,300 solar receivers will provide 64 megawatts of power in Nevada.
while helping to spare the Earth from a vast amount of
greenhouse gases.
World Hydrogen Energy Conference in Lyons.
The World Hydrogen Energy Conference takes place on
a different continent every two years. It is organized by
the European Hydrogen Association (EHA), which currently is
comprised of seven national associations.
A hydrogen supply network is being set up along California’s highways.
Rudolph Erren Award
for Wolfgang Reitzle.
As part of the World Hydrogen Conference in Lyons,
Professor Wolfgang Reitzle, President and CEO of Linde
AG, was presented with the Rudolph Erren Award by the
From June 13 to 16, 2006, 1,500 hydrogen experts from
International Association for Hydrogen Energy (IAHE).
around the world gathered in the French city of Lyons for
Linde is the world’s largest provider of hydrogen
the 16th World Hydrogen Energy Conference (WHEC).
powerplants. Reitzle was also voted “Manager of the
Year 2006” in Germany.
At this year’s Conference, Janez Potocnik, European
Commissioner for Science and Research, underlined the
remarkable success of the hydrogen vehicle and fuel cell
as technology platforms, and secured further support
Cruising the California Hydrogen Highway in 2010
Along with an official state tree (redwood) and motto
hydrogen-powered vehicles without fear of running on
(“Eureka”), California may well become the first state to
empty. A joint project of both government and industry,
have an official state element: hydrogen. Long known for its
costs are projected to run anywhere from $75 – $200
strict emissions standards, California is now setting the
million. The government will provide approximately
pace for clean, hydrogen-fueled mobility. In a far-reaching
$6.5 million for hydrogen demonstration projects; the
initiative, the state has built more than a dozen hydrogen
bulk of the funding will come from private investment by
refueling stations, with plans calling for a total network
energy companies, automakers, high-tech firms and
of 150 to 200 fuel stations, spaced every 20 miles, on major
others with a stake in developing clean, sustainable energy.
highways throughout the state by the year 2010. This
“Hydrogen Highway” will allow drivers to invest in
from the European Union for these energy sources.
German companies are prominent at the
Hydrogen Expo US 2006.
At the fourth Hydrogen Expo US held last March in Long Beach,
California, 92 companies presented the latest developments in
hydrogen-vehicle and fuel-cell technology. German exhibitors,
including BMW, accounted for 20% of the total – a growing segment of the Expo. The number of visitors at the 2006 fair also
rose by almost 40%.
BMW helps in creating a network
of hydrogen fueling stations.
Japan plans hybrid rail system.
BMW is partnering with fuel companies with the
world’s first hybrid hydrogen railcar. The “New Energy
August 2006 saw Norway take the wraps off its very
goal of setting up liquid hydrogen fueling stations
Train” began test runs on October 19, 2006. By the
first hydrogen refueling station – the first step towards
in the United States and Europe.
middle of next year, these trains are scheduled to operate
a hydrogen highway that is being constructed between
on regular tracks. Power is supplied by two fuel cells
Stavanger in the southwest and Oslo in the southeast. It’s
generating 65 kilowatts each, along with a diesel-powered
all part of the comprehensive HyNor project, a partnership
generator. The new railway system is expected to cut
of 30 companies whose aim is to promote the use of
energy consumption by 20% and run significantly more
hydrogen power in Norway’s transportation sector. The
quietly than conventional trains. Hybrid trains of this kind,
second fueling station is expected to open in spring
moreover, do not require costly overhead lines.
2007 in the Grenland district. By 2009, Norway’s hydrogen
Japanese railroad company JR East has developed the
Drivers of liquid hydrogen-powered vehicles in
Germany can now fill up at four stations – two in
Berlin, two in Munich – where liquid hydrogen is
available. An additional European refueling station
is under construction in Brussels, the home of
the European Union.
Norway’s first hydrogen filling
station goes on-stream.
highway should offer a seamless supply of hydrogen.
Here in the United States, Californians are able
to fill their tanks with liquid hydrogen in Oxnard,
while in Washington, DC, federal lawmakers can
experience a hydrogen station in operation.
Drivers in Berlin can already fill up with hydrogen.
Hydrogen Highway for Europe?
With a view toward testing the practicalities of the large-scale
application of hydrogen, German technology group Linde
Ulrich Walter has been chosen as one
of BMW’s hydrogen ambassadors. This
professor of space technology and
astronaut in the D-2 Spacelab shuttle
mission will be driving one of the BMW
Hydrogen 7 models at special events.
Other figures in public life, industry and
science are to follow.
presented the “European Hydrogen Highway” initiative in
2005 on International Hydrogen Day. Research by Linde
suggests that a network of highways across Germany could
Map of all hydrogen
filling stations worldwide. H2 provider
Linde is planning a
“hydrogen highway”
for Europe.
operable
planned
expired
be supplied with hydrogen refueling stations within a relatively
short timespans. A second and third phase would integrate
Over 3,000 hydrogen vehicles for the
Beijing Olympics.
European neighbors into the plan.
China is among those countries in need of environmen-
Mobile hydrogen refueling unit.
To increase the availability of liquid-hydrogen fuel before a
tally friendly transportation solutions. At the hydrogen
New partners for the
Clean Energy Partnership.
comprehensive network of filling stations is in place, Linde
The Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) is emerging as the
recently developed “trail H2™” – an innovative mobile
most important European project in the field of hydrogen-
liquid-hydrogen filling station. Successfully tested in
powered mobility. The CEP is an international consortium
Germany during the 2006 Soccer World Cup, “trail H2” is
of energy companies, vehicle manufacturers and
designed for cars and buses in the public sector, and will
transportation services. It is currently running a fleet of
also be made available for BMW vehicles.
17 hydrogen vehicles – the biggest demonstration
conference in Lyons, Professor Gang Wan, President of
Tongji University in Shanghai, reported that his government was lending substantial support to hydrogen technology in order to achieve this. Ambitious projects are
planned for two major upcoming events in China: for the
2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, up to 3,000 passenger
cars and 100 buses are to run on hydrogen; and for the
2010 World Expo in Shanghai, the plan is to deploy
1,000 taxis or buses that will be refueled at up to 20 filling
project for this future technology. In addition to BMW,
stations. Linde Gas, Shell Hydrogen and Tongji University
members of the CEP include DaimlerChrysler, Ford,
will set up China’s first hydrogen filling station this year.
GM/Opel, Linde, TOTAL and Volkswagen.
The award-winning design for Beijing’s Olympic stadium.
Technology
The super-chilled
hydrogen in the BMW
Hydrogen 7 is kept
in a remarkable tank.
The liquid hydrogen in the Hydrogen 7 is cooled to -418°F.
The special vacuum-insulated tank that holds it is as efficient
as a 56-foot-thick jacket of Styrofoam. (However, using Styrofoam
for insulation would create a colossal cube many times the size
of the car!)
If the special tank in the Hydrogen 7 contained frozen water, it
would take around 13 years for the ice block to melt completely.
And boiling-hot coffee inside the tank of the Hydrogen 7 would
reach a comfortable drinking temperature… after about 80 days.
Q+A
What exactly is hydrogen?
Hydrogen, represented by the symbol H, is the most plentiful
and simplest element in the universe. Its atomic structure
consists of just two particles: an electron and a proton.
Every star, including our sun, derives its energy from this
The low-down on
hydrogen: the element,
the technology, and the
prospects for the future.
element. On the Earth, it primarily occurs as a chemical
compound with oxygen to form water (H20), to which the
term “hydro” refers. Hydrogen gas, which is colorless and
odorless, is made up of diatomic molecules, hence the
How does the hydrogen get
to the filling stations?
When will hydrogen cars become
an everyday sight on the roads?
At normal temperatures, hydrogen is a gas. So it is
That can’t be accurately forecasted. What we do know is
transported in a highly compressed liquid form. To
that the price of fossil fuels will steadily rise in the coming
achieve that, it is chilled to -418°F and then pumped into
decades, bringing ever closer the point at which hydrogen
tanker vehicles that feature special heat insulation known
cars will become prevalent. The prospect of volume
as “vacuum super-insulation.” Hydrogen fueling stations
production is more realistically imminent: that will happen
also have “cryogenic tanks” that can keep the hydrogen
as soon as hydrogen can be generated in quantity by
in a liquid state for months.
economical methods, and the relevant infrastructure is
in place.
designation H2.
How does filling up
on hydrogen actually work?
Will hydrogen be affordable?
It is a process comparable with refueling a gasoline or diesel
Yes, once an appropriate hydrogen industry and supply
vehicle today. To fill up a liquid-hydrogen car, you need
infrastructure have been set up. It’s worth remembering
a special coupling system. With the BMW Hydrogen 7,
that fuel for the earliest automobiles had to be bought
for example, the coupling links the pump nozzle with the
at the drugstore! Developments over the last 120 years
filler neck of the vehicle. The actual filling process is fully
show how far we have progressed since those days and
automatic and can take as little as eight minutes.
their “over-the-counter” prices.
the advantage of hydrogen lies.
How is the liquid hydrogen
stored in the car?
How long will hydrogen
resources last?
How much energy is there in hydrogen?
Basically the same way it is stored in the tanker truck,
As long as planet Earth survives. The world’s oceans
Hydrogen is the most energy-rich fuel of all. Weight for
i.e., in a cryogenic tank. Thanks to rapid advances in
contain a virtually unlimited source of hydrogen. The key
weight, its fuel value is three times that of gasoline. That
insulation technology, these tanks are shrinking in size,
factor is that it will never be used up because the production
is the reason hydrogen has long been used in space
so that eventually they will take up barely more space
and burning of hydrogen form a never-ending cycle.
travel. Experts believe that space shuttles and boosters
than conventional fuel tanks.
Why do we need hydrogen
as an alternative energy source?
Fossil energy carriers such as petroleum have two main
drawbacks: first, they are limited resources, and, second,
they increase the global greenhouse effect through CO2
emissions. That is why we need alternatives – energy
sources and drive systems that are part of the natural
cycle and are inexhaustable. And that is precisely where
What is “solar hydrogen”?
How does hydrogen burn?
What emissions are produced
by burning hydrogen?
Most energy on the Earth comes from the sun. That is
Normally, combustion processes are based on carbon
From an environmental point of view, nearly none.
reacting with atmospheric oxygen under heat to produce
Whereas the extraction of hydrogen can release CO2,
carbon dioxide. Hydrogen, on the other hand, combines
the combustion process itself has virtually no impact
with atmospheric oxygen to become water vapor, and
on the environment, producing only tiny amounts of
in doing so releases the energy stored inside it. This
nitrogen oxide and miniscule quantities of hydrocarbons
process also generates a great deal of heat. The hydrogen
from lubricants.
could not operate without hydrogen.
In what form does hydrogen
occur on Earth?
why solar powerplants – located in coastal regions of
Hydrogen is present in all fossil fuels (hydrocarbons).
the Earth’s sunbelt – are the most efficient means of
However, the future lies in deriving H2 from water. The
producing hydrogen. Through electrolysis they allow a
oceans, which cover two-thirds of the Earth, will be an
perfect energy- and environmentally-neutral cycle: Water
inexhaustible source of hydrogen. All that’s necessary is
is turned into oxygen and hydrogen, and during the
flame is virtually invisible in daylight because it radiates in
to release the hydrogen from the water, which will allow
combustion process they recombine to produce heat
it to be transported anywhere, just like oil.
(energy) and water.
the ultraviolet region.
Is solar hydrogen technology
ready to be implemented?
What is the difference between
a combustion engine and a fuel cell?
Yes. Solar powerplants using photovoltaics are already
A fuel cell uses a chemical process to convert hydrogen
How is hydrogen obtained?
Today there are three commercial methods for producing
hydrogen, all based on heat input: the so-called reforming
of natural gas, the oxidation of natural gas, and the gasification
of coal. In the future, solar-, wind- and hydropower will be
used for the emission-free production of hydrogen from
water. They will supply the necessary power to split the
water into oxygen and hydrogen by means of an electric
current – a process known as “electrolysis.”
reliable power generators in many countries. The reason
they are not used on a grand scale for hydrogen
production has to do with cost. Currently, coal and oil
extraction are still far cheaper. But with dwindling
resources and economies of scale, the balance will shift.
and atmospheric oxygen into power to drive an electric
motor. In a combustion engine, on the other hand, the
hydrogen is ignited directly by spark plugs – just as
gasoline is today.