The BMW Group is planning to switch its logistics at the Regensburg plant to vehicles powered by hydrogen. Starting in 2026, the plant will use hydrogen-fueled tugger trains and forklifts in various areas, such as the press shop, body shop, and assembly lines, to improve the delivery of parts and components within the facility.
Currently, the plant relies on electric vehicles that need their batteries changed twice each shift, taking about 15 minutes. This process requires extra space for battery storage and cranes. Moving to hydrogen-powered vehicles should simplify these operations by allowing for quicker refueling and needing less space. Project Manager Katharina Radtke mentioned that new hydrogen filling stations will be set up in different areas of the plant, taking up only a small amount of room.
To facilitate this change, the plant will create a two-kilometer network of hydrogen pipelines along with six filling stations by early 2026. These stations will provide hydrogen for about 230 tugger trains and forklifts in the logistics fleet. Hydrogen will be delivered in special trailers that can also temporarily store the fuel. By 2030, once the hydrogen fleet is fully in place, the plant expects to use about 150 tonnes of hydrogen each year.
This move is part of BMW’s larger iFACTORY initiative, which aims to make manufacturing more digital and sustainable. Armin Ebner, the head of BMW Group Plant Regensburg, pointed out that this switch from electric to hydrogen vehicles brings the company closer to its goal of creating a modern, eco-friendly factory.
Additionally, BMW is working with outside partners to advance hydrogen technology in logistics. The company is leading the HyCET (Hydrogen Combustion Engine Trucks) group, which focuses on developing and testing hydrogen-powered trucks for logistics. This project, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, aims to show that hydrogen combustion engines can work for long-distance transport and create the needed refueling infrastructure.
These efforts show BMW’s dedication to exploring alternative energy sources and integrating sustainable technologies into its production and logistics processes.
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