BMW Hydrogen 7 Banned from Tunnels in New York, New Jersey

[Bartek S.]

If you're one of the lucky few allowed to evaluate a BMW Hydrogen 7, you're free to roam about the country - albeit with a few restrictions. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey isn't allowing the hydrogen-powered sedan to drive in a number of tunnels.

The Port Authority is banning the BMWs - along with all vehicles carrying compressed flammable gases - from both the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels. Hydrogen 7s will, however, be permitted on a number of bridges, including the George Washington Bridge - albeit only on its top deck.

The restrictions stem from the fact that hydrogen is extremely flammable. The Hydrogen 7 uses compressed hydrogen as a gasoline substitute to fuel its 6.0-liter V-12 engine. Although the hydrogen is stored onboard as a super-chilled liquid, the Port Authority fears the possibility of it returning to a gaseous state and potentially causing a fire or explosion. Given a tunnel's limited access and air supply, such a disaster would be difficult for rescue workers to control.

BMW, however, has extensively tested the hydrogen system to prevent such an event from happening. The hydrogen is so insulated that a block of frozen ice would take over a decade to melt within the tank. Any vapor that should happen to build up within the tank is released through a pair of roof vents in a controlled manor to reduce the chance of explosion.

While 100 examples of the Hydrogen 7 have been manufactured, only twenty were imported to the U.S. Overall, the entire fleet has logged over a million miles without any serious incident.

From: nytimes

 

[dOmInIX]

Wow, maybe a bit too much precaution knowing how much BMW tested this car..

does this 7er Hydrogen run completely on hydrogen or it has combined fuel??

 

[RikfromBelgium]

it runs on both hydrogen and normal fuel, depending on what's available.

 

[///K]

hydrogen is still being introduced in the US, therefore it has to take these precautions. Tunnel fires are extremely dangerous especially if it is packed with cars, emergency vehicles will not be able to get to the accident.

 

[EnI]

Gasoline is much more dangerous than H2.

H2 in Hydrogen 7 is captured in such space-tech isolated tank, it's completely shock & fire proof.

While standard gasoline tanks are much more dangerous: vulnerable to puncture, not much isolated, gasoline can easily get spilled etc.

The only problem with H2 is long-time closed-space parking: since over the long period some H2 evaporation is occurring - just like the case with natural gas. But we are talking several days here.


So ... the Port Authorities measures are a bit too radical. It's much more possible some older GMC pick-up, or Ford sedan explode or is put on fire at an accident or tunnel fire - than the H7.

C'mon ... BMW tested heat & shock (accident) resistance extensively before putting these cars in the streets - especially in US market: where hideous damages can be achieved if some stupidity happens.

I guess NYC authorities are still too precautions due 9/11: perhaps some paranoid official thinks some Muslim terrorist may carjack a H7, and blow up half of NYC. Since ... an automobile + Hydrogen + a possible bomb = mobile Hydrogen bomb.

 

[Deleted member 25]

:d

 

[jack]

H2 may be more dangerious then gasoline, but its definitly not the case with the 7series Hydro version, the tank has been developed in cooperation with Magna Steyr and they are really proud of the outcome.
found a pdf which shows some photos where they have tested the tank under extreme conditions
http://www.bmvit.gv.at/service/publikationen/innovation/downloads/ak7harbig.pdf
(page 14)
so its definitly an over reaction from some people who have no clue of the actual topic

 

[H50]

Gasoline is much more dangerous than H2.

H2 in Hydrogen 7 is captured in such space-tech isolated tank, it's completely shock & fire proof.

While standard gasoline tanks are much more dangerous: vulnerable to puncture, not much isolated, gasoline can easily get spilled etc.

The only problem with H2 is long-time closed-space parking: since over the long period some H2 evaporation is occurring - just like the case with natural gas. But we are talking several days here.


So ... the Port Authorities measures are a bit too radical. It's much more possible some older GMC pick-up, or Ford sedan explode or is put on fire at an accident or tunnel fire - than the H7.

C'mon ... BMW tested heat & shock (accident) resistance extensively before putting these cars in the streets - especially in US market: where hideous damages can be achieved if some stupidity happens.

I guess NYC authorities are still too precautions due 9/11: perhaps some paranoid official thinks some Muslim terrorist may carjack a H7, and blow up half of NYC. Since ... an automobile + Hydrogen + a possible bomb = mobile Hydrogen bomb.

I agree with you on all of your points but I dont agree with you on one "Terrorism Has no Religion" I wont go off-topic but it a very sensitive matter...

 

[jack]

i think that he just picked up a common clichee to express the narrowness of these so called officials - at least thats how I read it

 

[EnI]

i think that he just picked up a common clichee to express the narrowness of these so called officials - at least thats how I read it

Exactly.

I used the stereotype / cliché some authorities in US are using so often.
Just wanted to point out how easily some people make generalizations : eg. connecting terrorism to Islam - and in H7 case: hydrogen with (explosion-prone) danger.

No bad intentions implied in my post.

 

[H50]

Exactly.

I used the stereotype / cliché some authorities in US are using so often.
Just wanted to point out how easily some people make generalizations : eg. connecting terrorism to Islam - and in H7 case: hydrogen with (explosion-prone) danger.

No bad intentions implied in my post.

 

[bimmerguy288]

Yeah, most of the terrorist acts in the world are being committed by Buddhists and Christians...... Just look at what happened in India last week.

I will say this though, most Muslims are fine, peaceful people, they just want to have a good life and a good future for their kids, just like you and me. Most Muslims are NOT terrorists, the trouble is, most terrorists call themselves "Muslim", let's not kid oursleves here.

 

[speed_kills]

Eni, can you report some of the problems the H7 fleet have reported? Or is it classified?