For the first time, luxury vehicle manufacturer BMW has a fleet of hydrogen-fuelled cars on South Africa’s roads, supported by a green hydrogen refuelling infrastructure set up at its Midrand campus in Johannesburg. The outcome of BMW, Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) and Sasol finding common ground was the launch on Valentine’s Day of the heavenly BMW iX5 Hydrogen passenger car, which Mining Weekly can confirm infinitely outstrips the ‘sheer driving pleasure’ slogan of the already top-rated BMW mobility brand. (Also watch attached Creamer Media video.)

For the first time, luxury vehicle manufacturer BMW has a fleet of hydrogen-fuelled cars on South Africa’s roads, supported by a green hydrogen refuelling infrastructure set up at its Midrand campus in Johannesburg.

  • @half_built_pyramids
    1•11 months ago

    Don’t hydrogen engines take platinum to make or something crazy? Not against alternatives, but I thought hydrogen was fucked.

    • HypxOP
      4•11 months ago

      Very little platinum. Certainly, far less than the comparable raw material needs of BEVs. Also, platinum is effectively 100% recycled.

    • @habitualTartare
      2•11 months ago

      I really liked this video explaining some of the challenges with a consumer hydrogen powered vehicle: https://youtu.be/rtZQLUtckS4?si=OF2P2MWco-XSKGLy

      I think hydrogen might have potential for trucks but for consumers, at least where EVs can work, I don’t think there’s a real advantage unless a major breakthrough changes things.

      • HypxOP
        2•11 months ago

        BEVs are simply too expensive and impractical for most people. It will end up like diesel cars and eventually be abandoned. Hydrogen cars at least make sense from a fundamental point of view.