Speaking at the carmaker's annual shareholder meeting, CEO Oliver Zipse said the company plans a small production run of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered X5 SUV next year.
However, BMW is one of a small number of carmakers that currently sees possibilities for the mass adoption of hydrogen fuel cells, which emit only water, and has said it is keeping its options open for the future. Last December Japanese carmaker Toyota Motor Corp unveiled its revamped Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car in a fresh push to promote the zero-emission technology amid rapidly growing demand for electric vehicles.Japan's Honda Motor Co and South Korea's Hyundai Motor have developed fuel cell models.