Yahoo Autos BMW open to making a hydrogen-electric, New Class-based model
BMW is currently developing an architecture called New Class that will underpin a new range of EVs starting in 2025. While the platform isn't being designed with internal combustion in mind, Autoblog learned that the German firm hasn't ruled out making it compatible with hydrogen.
"We are working on being on able to integrate hydrogen [into the New Class platform]. Not as of 2025, and probably only in the larger cars. We haven't finished [the project] yet but it's a possibility," Jürgen Guldner, the hydrogen program's general manager, told me.
Starting with a blank slate gives BMW the opportunity to future-proof the New Class platform — it's much easier and a whole lot to cheaper to design the architecture with hydrogen in mind from the get-go, even if this option is never used, than to modify it to take a hydrogen-powered drivetrain after it's been in production for a couple of years. Guldner added that his team is looking at a clever packaging solution.
