See the many previous posts about that very bad idea. e.g…
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…and it will need to transported and stored. I can’t see another small fortune being spent on installing hydrogen refuelling points so soon after the cost and effort put into installing electric charging stations.
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I think this is overstating BMW policy. Looking at their website their main focus is on electric whilst at the same time looking at the potential of hydrogen in a collaboration with Toyota.
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Can you point at the exact BMW statement confirming the move to hydrogen as a lot of these statements are in fact false and put out on media to look real. BMW is spearheading a new battery on Samsung solid state tech.
BMW, Samsung join hands to back solid-state battery to double EV range BMW, Samsung join hands to back solid-state battery to double EV range
Googler Gemini Search. What is BMW’s 'Open Technology’strategy?
BMW’s ‘Technology Openness’ strategy is a core philosophy that dictates the company will not commit to a single drivetrain technology but will instead develop and offer multiple drive types in parallel.
This approach is driven by the understanding that the transition to climate-neutral mobility will not happen uniformly across all regions and customer segments globally.
Key Pillars of the ‘Technology Openness’ Strategy
1. Diverse Drivetrain Portfolio
BMW maintains a flexible development approach across four main powertrain types, allowing them to adapt quickly to different market needs and regulatory changes:
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Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): Seen as the primary path to decarbonization, especially in markets with well-developed charging infrastructure (like many parts of Western Europe).
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Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs): Developed to offer a zero-emission alternative for customers who require very long ranges, very fast refueling times (3-4 minutes), or live in areas with limited high-power charging infrastructure.
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Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs): Positioned as an important “bridging technology” to help customers transition to electric driving, offering zero-emission urban use combined with the flexibility of a gasoline engine for long distances.
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Highly Efficient Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs): Continued refinement of gasoline and diesel engines, particularly in regions where the charging infrastructure is poor or where e-Fuels (synthetic, non-fossil fuels) may play a significant role in decarbonization.
2. Consideration of Regional Specifics
The strategy is a practical response to global variations in infrastructure and energy policy:
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Infrastructure: In countries with limited electricity grid capacity or poor charging networks, a hydrogen FCEV or an efficient PHEV may be a better, more practical solution for the customer than a BEV.
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Regulations: BMW can comply with diverse emission standards and incentives globally by having a certified vehicle in every major category.
3. Resilience and Sustainability
By not tying its fate to a single technology, BMW increases its resilience against external risks:
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Raw Material Dependency: Having multiple technology options minimizes dependence on specific raw materials (like lithium or cobalt for batteries). Difficulties in sourcing one material can be partially offset by focusing resources on another technology (e.g., hydrogen).
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Supply Chain Flexibility: The ability to pivot production between different models and drive types allows the manufacturing network to respond quickly to market demand and geopolitical challenges.
In essence, the ‘Technology Openness’ strategy allows BMW to ensure that, regardless of how the infrastructure, raw material markets, and consumer preferences evolve over the next decade, they will have a viable, premium product to meet that demand.
Would you like to know more about the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot vehicle that uses this technology?
The trouble with Gemini is that it doesn’t quote sources for its information.
There is a button at the end of the text that invites you to click on and it is marked as Sources.
So here is Chatgpt response. What is BMW’s 'Open Technology’strategy?
ChatGPT said:
BMW Group’s “Open Technology” (or “technology-open”) strategy is a deliberate and central part of its long-term vision — essentially meaning that BMW does not place all its bets on one single technological path (e.g., only battery-electric vehicles) but remains flexible across different technologies, markets and customer needs. Below are the key elements, rationale and implications of this strategy.
What the Strategy Means
Some of the main features:
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BMW defines “technology openness” as developing and offering multiple drivetrain and mobility technologies in parallel, so that it can respond to the varying needs of different regions, customers and infrastructure. BMW Group+3BMW Group+3BMW Group+3
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For example: internal-combustion engines (ICE) with high efficiency, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and, from 2028 onward, fuel-cell hydrogen vehicles. BMW Group PressClub+3BMW Group+3BMW Group+3
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The strategy emphasises being market-driven (i.e., following where customers, infrastructure and regulation evolve) rather than being locked into one technology path. As BMW states: “Technology openness means following the markets – because markets evolve, but not all at the same pace.” BMW Group+1
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It’s not just about drivetrain: BMW also frames “technology openness” as relevant to its software-defined vehicles, digital architecture, production & supply chain flexibility and global manufacturing footprints. BMW Group PressClub+1
Why BMW is doing it (the Rationale)
The strategy is motivated by a number of internal and external considerations:
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Market fragmentation: Vehicle markets around the world differ widely in infrastructure, regulation, consumer preferences, and pace of EV adoption. By being technology-open, BMW can tailor its offerings region by region. BMW Group+1
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Risk mitigation: By not “putting all eggs in one basket” (e.g., only BEVs), BMW hedges against regulatory, infrastructure or raw-material / supply chain risks. BMW Group+1
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Climate / CO₂ strategy: BMW argues that by applying the best applicable technology in each context, it can achieve a faster real‐world emissions reduction impact. BMW Group
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Scalability and innovation leverage: With a technology-open approach, BMW is also designing its next-gen vehicles (e.g., its “Neue Klasse” architecture) so that innovations can be rolled out across drivetrain types and vehicle segments. BMW Group PressClub+1
How it’s Implemented
Some specifics of how BMW is operationalising the strategy:
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BMW’s model portfolio will include across all segments and brands BEVs, PHEVs, ICE and eventually hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. BMW Group PressClub+1
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The internal combustion engines are still being developed (e.g., with capability to use higher shares of renewable fuels) because in many markets ICE or PHEV remains relevant. BMW Group PressClub+1
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The digital architecture of BMW’s future vehicles (software-defined, zonal electrical architecture, high-performance electronic modules) is built broadly, not only for BEVs. BMW Group PressClub+1
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BMW’s “Open Innovation” programmes (start-ups, partners, cross-industry) support this open technology mindset by enabling external collaboration. BMW Group Careers+1
Strategic Implications & Take-aways
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Because BMW isn’t locking exclusively into BEVs today, it believes it has greater flexibility if regulatory or infrastructure conditions shift.
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In markets with limited charging infrastructure, BMW can still offer high-efficiency ICE or PHEV models to retain relevance. BMW Group
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From a cost & scale standpoint, being technology-open allows BMW to spread risk and maintain relevance across varied geographies and segments.
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On the flip side, this approach demands greater complexity: managing multiple powertrain architectures, supply chains and development paths rather than a “single path” simplifies everything.
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For end-customers, it means BMW aims to provide “the right technology” for the right market and customer, rather than pushing one universal solution.
Summary Statement
In short: BMW’s “Open Technology” strategy is about flexibility, responsiveness and diversity. Rather than committing to a single technical future (e.g., only full-electric), BMW chooses to keep all major options open—BEV, PHEV, ICE, hydrogen—and build architectures and processes so that innovations and new technologies can be rolled across its vehicle lineup. By doing so, BMW aims to stay robust in a rapidly changing industry, tailor to different markets, and capture more growth opportunities.
Seems to me they are doing something Hydrogen.
Ok, that has been BMW’s stance for at least 10+ years as they were one of the first to launch a hydrogen fuel cell car way back. What it does not say, is what you said.
“Announced globally by BMW. In a bold shift away from the electric vehicle race,”.
They are not shifting away, in the same way Toyota are not shifting away because they developed the hydrogen fuel cell cars and because for some long range requirements currently hydrogen fuel cells could fill a gap in the market. Suggest you look at how few hydrogen refilling stations there are and you need a long range vehicle to get between one and another.
The mass market is better suited to EV’s solid state batteries will dominate in a couple of years.
This
Doesn’t sound a lot like this
I am sure you will appreciate I saw a article and felt it worthy of sharing here.
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When one comes to sell all is revealed 
Well that’s utter bolox for a start. Have a look at the NEUE KLASSE.
Please answer my question.
It is great to see cheaper EVs being released… plus I’ve kinda always liked the look of Twingos (although I can’t imagine myself actually driving one).
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Dacia spring doesn’t look bad for a short range vehicle
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It’s a wind up
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Wow, do they have clockwork cars now?
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Available in orange?
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Aren’t they a bit juicy?
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It was an attempted homage to Anthony Burgess 