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Transportation equipment industry

Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell Partnership Expands Eco-Friendly Vehicle Options

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

BMW, Renault, and Delphi Automotive Systems have solidified a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to co-develop vehicles with solid-oxide fuel cells as auxiliary electric power. This partnership builds on a previous agreement between Delphi and BMW to jointly develop a fuel cell system for passenger cars, now expanding to incorporate diesel fuel solid-oxide fuel cell reformers for Renault's light- and heavy-duty trucks. By pooling their resources, the companies aim to make this environmentally friendly technology more economically viable. The collaboration is expected to lead to vehicles with improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and enhanced electrical features.

Key Takeaways:

  • The three companies plan to reach a co-development agreement within 60 to 90 days after signing the MOU.
  • Delphi and BMW have a pre-existing agreement to jointly develop a fuel cell system for passenger cars, which will now be expanded to incorporate diesel fuel solid-oxide fuel cell reformers for Renault's trucks.
  • The technology has the potential to offer vehicles with more electrical and electronic features that can be operated with the engine off.
  • The gasoline and diesel fuel systems will be developed by Delphi, and BMW and Renault will use these systems in their vehicles over the next five years.
  • The solid-oxide fuel cell technology is expected to improve fuel economy by promoting higher efficiency, reduce emissions from internal combustion engines, and provide better consumer benefits with no harm to the environment.

Statistics:

  • The partnership is expected to reach a co-development agreement within 60 to 90 days.
  • The three companies are pooling their resources to make the environmentally friendly technology more economically viable.
  • The gasoline and diesel fuel systems will be developed by Delphi over the next five years.
  • The solid-oxide fuel cell technology is expected to improve fuel economy by promoting higher efficiency.
  • The new technology is also expected to enable a reduction in emissions from internal combustion engines.

Sources:

  • BMW: website http://www.bmw.com
  • Renault: website http://www.renault.com
  • Delphi: website http://www.delphiauto.com
  • Delphi Release: May 2, 2000 (Copyright (c) 2000 by EIN Publishing, Inc.)

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