In a groundbreaking development for the green hydrogen economy, Anglo American Platinum, BMW Group South Africa, and Sasol have collaboratively introduced South Africa’s first pilot fleet of BMW iX5 Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). This initiative, unveiled at the South African Green Hydrogen Summit in October 2023, symbolizes a cross-industry effort to transition from industrial policy to tangible real-world applications, showcasing the growing importance of green hydrogen in global sustainability and energy security.
The trial of these public road vehicles was announced during the Hydrogen Council’s Regional Meeting, hosted for the first time on the African continent in Sandton, Johannesburg, on February 12 and 13, 2024. This collaboration highlights each company’s unique contribution to the value chain, demonstrating the burgeoning potential of the green hydrogen economy.
The BMW iX5 Hydrogen represents the pinnacle of passenger hydrogen FCEV technology, being the most powerful model of its kind globally. The utilization of this small series fleet worldwide aims to gather crucial insights into hydrogen FCEV operation and customer experiences, further advancing the understanding of hydrogen’s role in sustainable mobility.
Peter van Binsbergen, CEO of BMW Group South Africa, emphasized the critical nature of cross-industry partnerships in realizing the vast potential of green hydrogen for decarbonization. He remarked, “Our collaboration with Anglo American Platinum and Sasol to launch the BMW iX5 Hydrogen fleet in South Africa underlines our belief in hydrogen as an essential element of the energy transition, offering a complementary solution to our battery-electric mobility offerings.”
Dr. Juergen Guldner, BMW Group General Program Manager for Hydrogen, reflected on the four-year development journey of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, noting its global tour that began in Antwerp, Belgium, in 2023. He highlighted the complementarity of hydrogen vehicles to BMW’s battery electric vehicle lineup, pointing out their quick refueling capability and suitability for customers without convenient charging options.
Prakashim Moodliar, Head of Projects at Anglo American Platinum, underscored the importance of partnerships in building a local and sustainable hydrogen economy. “Our partnership with BMW Group South Africa and Sasol is a testament to our commitment to fostering green mobility in South Africa, utilizing Platinum Group Metals to enable this new industrial sector both locally and globally,” said Moodliar.
This week’s launch not only marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s green mobility journey but also showcases the world’s most powerful passenger fuel cell electric vehicle in action, signifying a major step forward in the development of a green mobility ecosystem.
