| The largest blockade to hydrogen cars is no longer the | | | | The other half of this dynamic duo; BMW, isn't resting |
| technology. Sure, it isn't 100 percent perfect yet, but | | | | on its laurels either. After years of testing a fleet of |
| advancements are being made steadily that should | | | | hydrogen-powered MINIs and 7-Series sedans, |
| see hydrogen become a perfectly viable alternative to | | | | Professor Burkhard Gaschel, a board member at |
| gasoline in the next few years. Rather, the problem is | | | | BMW AG claims that in less than two years BMW will |
| infrastructure, and therefore dollars and cents from a | | | | debut a production-ready hydrogen-powered 7-series. |
| business perspective. | | | | That's somewhat behind other manufacturers, such as |
| Since a hydrogen car requires hydrogen refueling | | | | Ford, which introduced a hydrogen-powered Ford |
| stations, just like a gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicle | | | | Focus last year and has since distributed them in small |
| does, the introduction of these clean-burning machines | | | | quantities to municipalities around the USA and |
| much be accompanied by the introduction of hydrogen | | | | Canada. |
| filling stations; and vice versa. This reality has led to a | | | | Even farther ahead is German competitor |
| number of pairings between manufacturers and oil | | | | Mercedes-Benz which recently celebrated its |
| companies, the latest of which is a new strategic | | | | hydrogen test fleet of more than 100 cars passing the |
| partnership between BMW and European petroleum | | | | cumulative two million kilometer milestone. The vehicles, |
| giant TOTAL. | | | | which are a varied array of hydrogen powered |
| It isn't exactly a new pairing, as BMW and TOTAL | | | | Europe-only A-class passenger cars, buses, and |
| have both been working with one another in Berlin on | | | | Sprinter cargo vans make up the largest real-life test |
| the practical testing of hydrogen as a source of | | | | of hydrogen fueled vehicles in the world, and |
| energy. TOTAL itself opened a public gas station that | | | | Mercedes is looking to expand that even further by |
| incorporated both gasoline and hydrogen in March of | | | | taking more hydrogen test cars to Japan, Australia, |
| this year, which takes the place of the pilot test station | | | | China, America, and Singapore for everyday use. |
| that had been operating in Berlin since 2002. Before | | | | Our world-wide fleet trial is running at full steam, and |
| the end of this year, TOTAL will finish construction on | | | | after two million kilometers covered, we are gaining |
| another hydrogen station in Munich near the BMW | | | | valuable results and findings for the further |
| testing grounds, with a third station at an undecided | | | | development of the emission-free fuel cell powertrain, |
| location to come later. | | | | said Prof. Dr. Herbert Kohler, Vice President Group |
| As a leading company in processing and marketing | | | | Research and Advanced Engineering Vehicle and |
| petroleum products in Europe, TOTAL also wishes to | | | | Powertrain and DaimlerChrysler Chief Environmental |
| play a leading role in the industrial and technical | | | | Officer. |
| development of hydrogen as a fuel. As a source of | | | | Conversely, the third German luxury car manufacturer, |
| energy and from the perspective of environmental | | | | Audi, seems to be lagging behind, with no news or |
| care, hydrogen offers clear benefits already proven | | | | rumours of a hydrogen test fleet or potential hydrogen |
| and substantiated in practice, emphasizes Michel Bzit, | | | | cars since showing its A2H2 Fuel Cell Concept car at |
| TOTALs Director General for Refinery Operations | | | | the World Environment Day in San Francisco during |
| and Marketing. | | | | the summer of last year. |