2nd ICHS, International Conference on Hydrogen Safety Sept. 11-13-2007, SPAIN Topic: Hydrogen Application Hydrogen Safety: New challenges based on BMW Hydrogen 7 Part 1: BMW Hydrogen 7: The first premium saloon with a bivalent IC Engine. Part 2: Development of a Safety Concept for future BMW hydrogen cars. Authors: Christian Müller (Speaker) E-Mail: [email protected] Dr. Sigmund Fürst E-Mail: [email protected] Wichard von Klitzing E-Mail: [email protected] Johannes Hettig E-Mail: [email protected] BMW Group, Munich, Germany Part 1: The BMW Hydrogen 7 is the world’s first premium saloon with a bi-fuelled internal combustion engine concept that has undergone the series development process. This car is also showing the BMW typical pleasure in driving. During its development the features of the hydrogen energy source were underlined. Specially engine, tank system and vehicle electronics were developed being integral parts of the vehicle for use with hydrogen. In terms of a safety-oriented development process strict hydrogen specific requirements were generated for the Hydrogen 7. The performance of these requirements was proved in many tests and experiments, including every necessary and additionally specific crash tests like side impact to the tank coupling system and rear impact. Furthermore the behaviour of the hydrogen tank under extreme conditions was tested for instance in flames and by strong degradation of the isolation. In terms of total car test more than 1 million km were covered. All tests were passed successfully proving the own safety of the vehicle. Part 2: In constructing the BMW Hydrogen 7 we succeeded in making a series production of a bi- fuelled vehicle fulfilling every required safety requirement. The used safety-oriented development process has been proven as being successful and shall be continued during the development of future vehicles. A safety concept for future hydrogen vehicles creates new challenges for vehicles and infrastructure. Especially it is necessary to develop a car which is only fuelled by hydrogen while simultaneously optimizing the safety concept, i.e. by reduction of the used hydrogen sensors. Another important goal is the permission of parking in closed rooms like garages. Part 2 will show a vision for requirements and ways to fulfil them. .