Toyota, Nissan, and Honda Agree on Details of Joint

The three largest Japanese carmakers-Honda, Nissan, and Toyota-will now undertake a joint effort to support the construction of new fueling stations.

Along with the fast refueling time, BMW is also stressing the energy density advantage that hydrogen has over batteries, eliminating the need to carry around immensely heavy battery packs.

We’re told this hydrogen i8 prototype was actually built in 2012 – before BMW signed a collaboration deal with Toyota – and is one of the very first i8 test mules made.

The firm revealed the overhauled i8 at BMW’s Innovation Days 2015 event.

The hydrogen-fueled Toyota Mirai may not beat Tesla’s P85D to 60 mph, but if the race is longer than 300 miles, it’ll likely cross the finish line first. Why?

The fuel-cell Gran Turismo has a range of 500 kilometres before refueLling. According to Toyota, the Mirai has set a record in terms of the efficiency of fuel cell vehicles.

BMW was at pains to point out the car’s R&D status and that a production version is two product cycles away, but even so, the signs are promising.

Side by side, the company is involved in the development of fuel cells in partnership with its Japanese rival Toyota Motor Corp.

The main goal is to provide a “convenient, hassle-free refueling network for owners of fuel cell vehicles (FCVs)”, with Japan’s government also willing to provide a helping hand. It marks a significant change since the manufacturer’s last hydrogen-fuelled vehicles, which burned the gas in an engine instead of using it to generate electricity.

‘Fuel cell technology makes an ideal addition to both the BMW i models and, in the future, the series-produced models from the BMW brand, ‘ says BMW. Today, hybrid cars and electric vehicles are dominating the green-vehicle market. – Reuters picMIRAMAS, July 2 – BMW AG will test a vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel cells on public roads this month as the German automaker looks to expand clean-car offerings after rolling out the battery-powered i3 in 2013.