It is the hour for pioneers in the automotive branch. Climate change, higher oil prices, and dwindling fossil fuels don’t demand simple short-term answers – they demand a new vision of mobility! Almost all manufacturers are working on the research and development of models with innovative, eco-friendly engines. BMW’s pioneers are designing a comprehensive 3-stage strategy for a clean automotive future called “Efficient Dynamics” – culminating in the hydrogen-powered automobile “Hydrogen 7”. In the first stage of this program sustainable and efficient solutions are integrated into the vehicles of the current series. Part of this stage is the “clean production initiative” that integrates the aspect of sustainability into the entire production process. With its “Concept X6 Active Hybrid”, BMW presented at the IAA 2007 its vision of how a hybrid engine should be introduced medium-term into the range of models. Through a novel transmission system, two compact, high-capacity electric motors and a gearbox with a solid gear transmission ratio are combined. The effect deserves serious attention: The system reduces waste up to 20 percent in contrast to the corresponding model with a conventional internal combustion engine. By the end of 2009 the vehicle will be ready for serial production.Through its Hydrogen 7 model the Bavarian auto maker not only gives the crowning touch to its clean environmental program, but also presents no less than an ideal vision of future mobility that is already now suited to daily use. “In the long run we will have to depart from fossil fuels”, states BMW press relations officer Daniel Kammerer. “It is our fervent conviction that hydrogen is the only real alternative to gasoline and diesel.” In contrast to other hydrogen prototypes, hydrogen 7 has already reached a high stage of development. All components of this innovative technology were developed according to the usual criteria for mass-production vehicles. In the interim a small series of 100 vehicles has been produced. The Club of Pioneers captured the immense excitement over the Hydrogen 7 in its video blogs.While most of the automobile manufacturers attach importance to fuel cells, the Hydrogen 7 does not transform hydrogen into electricity, but burns it immediately. One aspect of technology that should enhance the typical BMW driving pleasure is this: The 12-cylinder vehicle has an output of 260 HP and 230 km/h at top performance. And when there is no hydrogen refueling station nearby, the fun is not over yet. A short push on the H2 button of the steering wheel switches the bivalent engine from hydrogen to high-octane gasoline.For Hydrogen 7 to be 100% ecologically compatible, several tasks must be tackled. Hydrogen is currently extracted from petroleum gas. The vision for the future is to manufacture hydrogen from biomass, sun, wind and water – but that is all very expensive at the present. Fortunately there are enough pioneers who have accepted the challenge and are working with great vigor for a sustainable future!Several of these pioneers from Germany will be together with BMW on 3 October, the Day of German Unification, to present their sustainable ideas in the “Garden of Ideas” in the German Embassy in Washington, D.C. The Club of Pioneers has already presented a series of these projects in this special and will also be in Washington, D.C. for you – so stay tuned!Picture: BMW