Many have inferred that because I pointed out hydrogen combustion has many challenges, that I’m biased towards EVs, and that I believe combustion engines serves no purpose. Let me remind you that this is not at all what I believe: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fseklNmQt8rSnqM.html

This is what happens when a car company hires a bunch of engineers who really wanted to build rockets

9:09 "There are three kinds of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't."

The marketing behind this car is ridiculous, but the fact that it can make storing liquid hydrogen in a car even close to practical is genuinely impressive.

I'm more impressed with the insulating properties of the hydrogen tank. I bet it'd make a great keg.

I love it. The H7 is a super complicated answer to a question nobody actually asked.

9:08 Jason: "So here's 2 things we know are true. " Jason's hand: holds up three fingers 😂

Full disclosure: I don't know jack about cars, so take with a huge grain of salt. However, due to my hobbies, I have had to learn a little about how to work with liquified gas fuels, specifically propane. Based on that, my guess is that the 80% fill limitation has to do with two things: safety margin for tank pressure increasing with temperature; and, importantly, maintaining sufficient *liquid* fuel surface area for it to boil into the gaseous state needed to run the engine. Those are the considerations typically described for propane tanks, anyway. :)

Back in the early 2000's I had the opportunity to help test those cars for a few weeks. It felt like we were on a real revolutionary path away from fossil fuels (remember, EVs weren't really a thing yet at that time). But it was very clear that a lot of R&D would still have to go into it. The H2 tank essentially took away all trunk capacity and made the vehicle quite butt-heavy to handle, which may also have been one of the reasons for the power limitations.

EVs and their battery packs have limitations, but my god the simplicity of an eV over that thing.

To be fair, GM told you not to park the Bolt in your garage and it leaked energy too.

I worked on a project where we tried to revive an old university project that converted a Subaru STi to hydrogen, unfortunately we didn't get it running on hydrogen in time but we did get it to run on CNG. It sucks that such an interesting project, the Hydrogen 7, was kinda ruined by lies to the press and over exaggeration. I think if BMW just came out with a "here check out what we have been working on" and just gave an honest impression of the car, it wouldn't have been laughed at as much. Despite all the BS, it is a cool project, and I hope they continue to try get into hydrogen.

I love that BMW actually goes all out with their concept and technology demo projects, even if they know it's unreasonable (it's usually stated how viable they deem it to be at the end of the document), though marketing sometimes ignores this... Another really, really neat one is the Turbosteamer which captures waste energy from the exhaust and coolant. They have quite a few detailed technical documents released for that concept as well, and managed huge efficiency gains at the cost of dizzying complexity.

Sweet! I want a death vent on my vehicle! 😆

You should have mentioned this car is a limited production made 17 years ago

When debuted in 2006, this was fairly forward thinking. Europe was tripling down on diesel at the time, Inconvenient Truth had only come out 6 months before this press kit, and the first gen Tesla Roadster was 2 years out.

The Hydrogen tank was designed & tested by Magna Steyr in Graz. I was working in the adjacent office to this programme at the time and remember seeing the tank in the test cells having done a burst test and seeing the H7 cars out the front.

Love that you left that 489 is less than 435😂😂 Btw think you should do a episode with all these new oils that say extended performance/high mileage Using Mobil one synth as a example.

There is only one real celebrity in this video and that is Jason.

This brings back memories. When I was at my first university, we got to work on the predecessor of thsi car. Also a 7 series, and also a V12, but it had only 180hp. This was in 2000 or so. The issue, and epiphany are simple energetic equations, and the realization that everything is "renewable", if not for humans and our tech, but for planets.

Man, your video are just perfect. Thanks for everything you do!

Really like the added humour to the videos.

Hey Engineering explained. I love these hydrogen-related videos. Keep them comming. I work as an engineer with specialization in hydrogen solutions and wanted to share an insight regarding hydrogen ICE engines. Currently there is some ongoing research happening all over. I happened to have a discussion with one of the researches and he said they have been rebuilding an old gas engine to be optimized for hydrogen operation. They have been able to reach efficiency of 1,1 kg/100km, which is very close to that of a modern FCEV. I asked him if there are some benefits to having a hydrogen ICE vehicle over FCEV, and he stated that basically the biggest upside is that you can use hydrogen that is not as "clean" (thus cheaper) and also that it is important to understand that it can work not only with hydrogen, but with standard gas also. So the hydrogen can basically work as the main fuel, and gas will be the "spare" fuel, or vice versa. Very similarly to how it is done today with gas-CNG ICE cars. This allows for highly optimized system that allows you to mostly drive on hydrogen, but minimizes the anxiety from having limited range. Just felt that you might find this interesting :)

I remember getting driven a (very) short distance in this thing at the IAA car show in Germany. Must have been the early 2000s. They were pushing hard for hydrogen back then…

I guess this vehicle solves the problem of hours long traffic delays because occupants are trapped in a wreck for any extended period. The car just burns/explodes after 5 minutes, another 10 minutes to put out the resultant fire, 15 minutes to push the wreck off the road and cleanup. It's doing a service to society. Love the Pattinson/Stewart burn.

Wow, I didn't know how much of a vocal base hydrogen has built up. You've poked the hornets nest. 😆

I remember in the early 2000s they built a few hydrogen Hummer 2's for Arnold in California. They were talking about how in 10 years we would save the planet with this technology. Yeah that really took off.

This is an important milestone in BMW's effort to make cars that are more expensive and less reliable. A self- emptying fuel tank is a nice touch.

Awesome bit of video here, Thank you for making it.

Conclusion: we need a 12 liter v12

13:45. That would probably be correct that the tank could only be filled to 80%. LPG tanks can only be filled to 80% to leave enough headspace in the tank so stands to reason that liquid hydrogen would be in the same boat.

To proceed forward it is also very important to find out what doesn't really work well in practice. Great vid, great engineering.

once again, excellent details and descriptions.

I did my master's thesis about the tank in this car at the facility where they built the tank. Pretty fancy space technology

Great explanation. Keep in mind that this car is 16 years old, just imagine if they kept on doing intense research for all those years..

The “we know….” and trailing off had me losing it. Very good.

Talking about fuel with super high pressure storage. We have been using CNG and LPG in cars, we also use them a lot in Thailand. CNG = super high pressure, so high that it needs a lot of safety to be able to use it almost safely. CNG makes a lot less power with the same ignition timing, and it wears the valve seats a lot faster than gasoline due to its slower burning rate. The system for both CNG and LPG require the heat exchanger too, we call them regulator/vaporizer. LPG makes almost the same power as gasoline with a good tune, regular drivers won't be able to tell the difference if setup & tuned correctly for the fuel alone (same timing). Good thing about CNG is that it can be used in both gasoline and diesel engines. But the thing is it's super slow to refill the tank, and the pump requires super high pressure to be able to fill the tanks. If they are low on LNG(dense liquid) at the pump, they can't fill you the CNG(compressed). While LPG is a lot faster to refill and makes more power with the same setup. I also use LPG(bi-fuel) in my 2 cars, one with 2AZ-FE engine and one with J35Z2 engine. Saves a lot of money, at least half at worst, up to gasoline price at the moment. And I can tune the thing myself with a piggyback CNG/LPG ECU of my choice. I made 278ps with E20 RON95, and 260ps'ish with LPG with same timing and richer Air:LPG equipvalent mixture ratio compared to Air:E20 equivalent mixture ratio. We have a lot of LPG pumps here, while CNG pumps are decreasing in numbers. While hydrogen has been mentioned occasionally by some manufacturers and also looks interesting, I don't really know a thing about it. Thank you for spending time to explain it all to us.

“Yeah but are BEV’s *reallly* ready for primetime? Hydrogen is the future. V12 go brrrr!!!!”

About funky powertrains, you might be interested in the never industrialized PSA’s hybrid air system. It wasn’t such a bad idea for compact city cars, but was defeated by a lack of industrial investment. Acknowledging for the bottleneck in battery related raw material, it could still be a viable alternative! I’m sure that other brands also had their take on compressed air/gas micro-hybridation but I don’t know the other projects.

Today I learned more than I cared to learn, thanks and bravo

Wonderfully explained.

To whoever reading this, never stop chasing your dreams you can do it. Keep pressing and thriving you will make it! Consistency is the key to achieve your goals.

Nice content. To me trading the forex and crypto market is way better than any online investment..

This is the best blend of scientific communication and deadpan humor on the internet!

I love the sense of humor you display in this video

I clearly remember the billboard for this car. It was, understandably, located next to a high-traffic road in an affluent area. Ironically, there were a number of car dealerships in the immediate vicinity - with the exception of BMW.

The range part... You had me in stitches 😂😂😂

Thank you, I’d always wondered how they did it.

9:08 - Citroen Xantia II 2.0HDi 110hp - 1130km on 65L of diesel. (~700miles, 17.2gal). 5.7L per 100km (slightly above 41mpg). With 3 ppl and luggage on board. Such a great car.

Part of my guess was there going with liquid over gaseous was that the tank manufacturing for a 5 bar tank was considerably cheaper over a 700 bar tank, and probably quite a bit less explosive in a massive collision. Although I don't know what I'd like less, being subjected to a 700 bar uncontrolled blast of a tank failure, or splashed with LHYD prior to it detonating.

Seems like it'd be pretty easy to make a car go further if you're adding an entire extra fuel tank to do it. That they biffed that one is impressive.

Excellent explanations!

Another briliant explanation

I hope hydrogen tech keeps improving, even if it seems ridiculous in the present. Improving our ability to store and harness the most common element in the universe seems like a good idea, even if you never put it in a car.

This engine would work amazingly on Titan with a surface temperature of -290 degrees!

TOP! as usual. Thanks!

Thanks for another great engineering discussion admixed with humor.

The roof! The roof! The roof is on fire!

I wonder if you can use liquid hydrogen to cool air for the turbo instead of using intercoolers. I could see its been beneficial for the cars that aim for the top speed since intercoolers induce a lot of drag. I imagine it would be a small tank along the main gas tank to provide that cooling effect AND you can use it as fuel at the same time

Great video. thanks.

EVs simplicity is on of their greatest benefits, but due the nature of the fuel is much greener for hydrogen tech, i hope it improves a lot in the following years

so now your bmw not only leak oil and coolant but also hydrogen :D genius

Since we are talking about alternative fuels, what do you think about LPG conversions? Prins offers systems for DI engines now. Since LPG burns cleaner than gas, would that be beneficial for DI engines to avoid carbon deposits? LPG used to deliver a bit less power and poorer fuel economy, is it still the case with today's systems? From what I understand, LPG has a higher octane rating than pump gas, so maybe newer systems take advantage of that? A video on that would be very interesting! Thanks!

It really requires someone with deep insight to present things in this manner.

I have to admit that was a fun video to watch. Nice work.

I am so glad there are guys like you to fact check those 'innovative' techs for us. Very educative and entertaining for me, Thank you !

I always enjoy your videos and even though I’m not an engineer - just a guy with somewhat of a mind for understanding - I always appreciate the edification. Thank you!!

Thank you for citing your sources ⭐️ means a lot

These videos convinced me that nothing can replace petrol, it's such a miracle liquid that just works it takes considerable effort to make something that can equal it.

VIDEO SUGGESTION: Changing from an OEM wheel with hardened steel lug nut seat inserts to aftermarket aluminum wheels without hardened steel lug nut seat inserts; How does this effect proper torque value? Especially as the aluminum seats start to gall from the much harder steel lug nuts and become sticky, as they inevitably do, when not lubricated (which "every expert" warns not to do). I wonder if the correct solution may actually be to lube the seat surfaces to prevent the sticking and galling (not lubing the threads), and applying a compensatory torque value due to the lube on the seats. Would like to hear your thoughts. Thanks

Well done sir ! Great magic trick or sleight of hand BMW.

Interesting information👍

FYI everyone: If you're wondering why all the celebs look so young in the car photos....The BMW press kit is dated, 13.11.2006 -- 16 years ago!

6:00 This is the most hilarious transition I’ve ever seen

Am I the only one picturing driving at night with a torch on the roof driver doing their best mad max impression

Roof vent - kind of like a pop-off valve that used to be (maybe still are?) on Indy cars - pop open when the boost pressure got too high (i.e., above the rule limit) :-0)

every obstacle can be solved by the miracle of -technology- marketing :D

Perhaps Porsche will have better success with their synthetic fuels. I just hope ICE can live on in some form (at least for sports cars, if nothing else). But huge respect to BMW for trying, impressive engineering nonetheless.

I live in Minnesota, known for cold temps if you didn’t know, and this liquid hydrogen model is not making sense for a typical passenger car. Perhaps it make sense for a continuous duty vehicle, like a city bus or mining vehicle. As always thank you for your great content, I always learn something interesting.

As an avid firearm enthusiast as well as automotive, I can say that 4mm of even the strongest steel types will neither stop many pistol rounds, nor most rifle rounds. Lvl 3 steel plates, which are only rated for a lot of common automatic pistol rounds like 9mm and .45acp are .25" (about 6mm) of ar500 steel, which is specifically chosen for its resistance to penetration from firearm projectiles. I'd never like to find out what happens to that tank in an even moderately bad crash, especially with it sitting behind me. The more power it takes to rupture a cannister, the more powerful the blast when it finally does fail. This sounds like a bomb, and that's before we address the whole Hindenburg on wheels part

Overall efficiency would be ridiculously low. My experience with LPG powered cars is that the ignition system has to be in top notch condition to avoid backfires. My car had a blast vent in the air filter to prevent it blowing apart in such circumstances. It did backfire occasionally when a plug or ignition lead had deteriorated. The resulting explosion was startling.

I literally couldn't stop smiling all the way through this at your trying sooo hard not to laugh at the BS they've obviously presented the world 😀

Dude Goode to see ya!!!

@9:34 lol, glad you didn't edit it out, I get those brain farts at work All the time

I'd use this concept in airplane fuel tanks, where venting of fuel is not such a big problem and infrastructure for refueling is also very precise. Planes are refueled to have the exact amount of fuel every time, and venting of when stationed outside shouldn't be a problem.

Does it make any difference (Regarding performance) to use direct injection for LPG rather than port injection ?

FuelCell version of H2 use could be the game changer, I hope this technology succeeeds!

This was probably your funniest video man. Awesome.

I still want the cruising range of an efficient diesel.

I 100% want to see that roof vent go off and catch on fire. Dude driving down the road with I giant flame shooting upward.

Just a friendly ribbing Jason, but I think you meant the CVS parking lot when you said "car meet"😁😁. Great work, as always!!

This was really entertaining to watch! I do believe in FCEV sports cars though. Lighter is more enjoyable to drive, and batteries are not light!

I think hydrogen ice cars are pretty cool! It's not like anyone actually thinks this could be a sustainable way to limit greenhouse gas emissions from cars. It's just a cool way to keep ice cars alive a little longer maybe, like a specialty thing that only wealthy people can afford but idk. I've been following your channel for several years now and the content has definitely changed as most channels do as they grow. I still love you though! 🤘

They need to use the hydrogen instead of the air conditioner. They might also use it to run a turbine, since it’s under pressure.

He did it again Hook line and sinker, I think I'm just going to brouw moonshine for my RX. Love your work mate

I get the sense that this is equivalent to the Norden bombsight: An elaborate engineering feat that eases the operator’s conscience while missing the target.

You mentioned using gaseous hydrogen instead of liquid, but it should be at 700 bar to get enough density. I cannot imagine how strong/robust the tank would have to be to store hydrogen at 10,152 PSI.

So Jason, what is your opinion on hydrogen powered vehicles? You’ve made a variety of videos regarding different fuel sources but do you think there’s a way to save ICE’s? Like porsche’s synthetic fuel or hydrogen etc.

"here's two things we know are true" as he holds up three fingers @9:09🤷😂🤦🤣😂

In BMW's defense on the safety issue - a fuel tank leak and subsequent fire in a traditional gasoline vehicle can be far worse. Hydrogen vents rapidly, is non-toxic, and does not produce carbon monoxide as a byproduct of combustion. As for the nascent state of the technology, I think that's going to be the case with almost any new tech. I am happy to see this sort of tech is being worked on, although I too find the media furor over it to be the most noxious part of the thing.