BMW will begin testing a prototype hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle on public roads this month, Bloomberg reports.
The automaker, which debuted its battery-powered i3 in 2013, says its fuel cell vehicle will be consumer ready sometime around 2025 to 2030.
BMW’s fuel-cell Gran Turismo prototype has a 310-mile range — three times the range of the electric i3. Refueling takes five minutes, compared to the five hours it takes to recharge the i3.
The hydrogen fuel-cell technology used in the prototype was developed through a joint venture with Toyota. BMW has been working with Toyota on fuel-cell projects since 2013. The two automakers are working on making fuel-cell components by 2020 and are also jointly developing a mid-size sports car.
Toyota began selling the Mirai fuel-cell sedan in December 2014.
Before fuel cell cars can become an established presence on US roads, a refueling infrastructure needs to be established. BMW has been discussing how to build such an infrastructure with other automakers, governments and utilities. Toyota, Nissan and Honda said they would contribute funds to developing a hydrogen fueling network in Japan, but no timeframe has been established.
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