alternative fueled Bimmers?

[car_for_mom]

I'm curious to hear the dealers' opinions as to when alternative-fueled (hydrogen cells/biodiesel/hybrid/CNG) Bimmers will be available, if ever?

I remember seeing in the 3-Series brochure a reference to BMW doing research into hydrogen cells; I have to imagine something like this is about 10-20 years away?

Do you think there is a market for such vehicles? What kinds of pressures, costwise, would such vehicles put on the dealer? buyer?

Thanks!

[rost12]

You don't want to hear a non-dealer's opinion? :bawling:

[car_for_mom]

Originally posted by rost12
You don't want to hear a non-dealer's opinion? :bawling:

Oh, of course! of course! I wasn't meaning to exclude anyone - I just figured the dealer types might have an inside track?

[rost12]

:)

As you probably know, BMW has had a small fleet of hydro-powered 7 series for a while now, and those cars have been all over the world for testing and promoting. So, the technology is feasible and already exists, it's just that at the moment big engine displacements are needed to generate at least modest amounts of power, thus 7 series with big engine bays were chosen. Making a smaller engine for 3 series, for example, would result in a grossly underpowered car.

That's one side, another side is the infrastructure needed for such cars.

Generating hydro-fuel requires massive amounts of electricity, so unless the process can be totaly supported by atomic or some non-polluting methods of generating electricity, the waste generated by conventional power plants negates the purpose of "clean" cars.

Next, storing the processed fuel requires is to be cooled to very low temperatures, thus conventional type of gas stations are out of the question. Also, due to extremely low temperatures of the fuel, fully automated fueling stations are needed.

And finally, fuel tanks inside the car take up significant amount of space because of all the isolation required to keep them cool, thus eating into the trunk space.

Oh, and the biggest threat to advancing alternative fuels comes from existing oil companies, as you can imagine :)

I've never heard of BMW working on anything other than hydro-powered cars. And I don't know whether any of this is new to you, but what the hey :)

[car_for_mom]

Originally posted by rost12
:)

As you probably know, BMW has had a small fleet of hydro-powered 7 series for a while now, and those cars have been all over the world for testing and promoting. So, the technology is feasible and already exists, it's just that at the moment big engine displacements are needed to generate at least modest amounts of power, thus 7 series with big engine bays were chosen. Making a smaller engine for 3 series, for example, would result in a grossly underpowered car.

That's one side, another side is the infrastructure needed for such cars.

Generating hydro-fuel requires massive amounts of electricity, so unless the process can be totaly supported by atomic or some non-polluting methods of generating electricity, the waste generated by conventional power plants negates the purpose of "clean" cars.

Next, storing the processed fuel requires is to be cooled to very low temperatures, thus conventional type of gas stations are out of the question. Also, due to extremely low temperatures of the fuel, fully automated fueling stations are needed.

And finally, fuel tanks inside the car take up significant amount of space because of all the isolation required to keep them cool, thus eating into the trunk space.

Oh, and the biggest threat to advancing alternative fuels comes from existing oil companies, as you can imagine :)

I've never heard of BMW working on anything other than hydro-powered cars. And I don't know whether any of this is new to you, but what the hey :)


Thanks, rost1! Much of this is new information to me.

I'm basically for clean cars and the like, but in a responsible, balanced way...I can't see mandating that everyone buy Honda Insights, Civics and Toyota Priuses, for example.

Many cars (Bimmers included) are at the LEV/ULEV point right now; I agree with you that improving industrial emissions, promoting more energy-efficient appliances and homes, promoting solar and wind where it makes sense and the like should go a long way!

[The Other Tom]

Originally posted by rost12
:)
Generating hydro-fuel requires massive amounts of electricity, so unless the process can be totaly supported by atomic or some non-polluting methods of generating electricity, the waste generated by conventional power plants negates the purpose of "clean" cars.

Bingo !!

[craigarooney]

Bingo !!

how 'bout Solar and Wind power for the home user. I grew up with solar power in our home (CA, father was an engineer). Very abundant and effective.

Use them all together. Use the strengths of one to counter the weaknesses of the other.

Craig