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| A hydrogen injection valve for optimized hydrogen air mixture. (Photo: BMW AG) |
Currently the European Integrated Hydrogen Project (EIHP) has developed standardized draft specifications for future liquid-hydrogen coupling units. These are the basis for the United Nations' Economic Commission of Europe (ECE) standard for hydrogen-powered vehicles currently being negotiated.
"BMW and GM want this refueling system - with the coupler as a core component - to become a global standard," Huss said.
The two companies have a goal of 2010 for affordable hydrogen vehicles that offer similar performance to the petroleum fueled vehicles of the day. Part of the program will have participating companies focusing on storage and handling technologies, important to the long range goals. But all said without competing automakers taking part, it could take more time to develop.
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| A MINI Cooper Hydrogen fills up at the hydrogen filling station at the Munich Airport, the first public hydrogen gas station in the world. (Photo: BMW AG) |
"Hydrogen can be established as the fuel of the future faster if companies, such as BMW and GM, cooperate in the development and standardization of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies," stated Dr. Udo Winter, chief engineer at GM Fuel Cell Activities.
But so far there are only two, and a somewhat unlikely duo to many onlookers. General Motors, the world's largest automaker, and the BMW Group, other than Mini the purveyor of only premium vehicles, are leaders in the liquid hydrogen field.