It is inevitable that sooner or later we will run out of oil.  One of the promising new fuels is hydrogen.  BMW has been working on making the use of hydrogen as a fuel a reality.

In April, BMW announced a joint project with GM to develop refueling devices for hydrogen-powered vehicles.  They have invited other carmakers to join them, as the industry turns to alternative fuels.

The collaborative work will center around setting global standards, establishing specifications for suppliers and finding the best technical and cost effective solution, according to Christoph Huss, BMW's head of Science and Traffic Policy.

"In the long term, we are expecting a nationwide network of 10,000 hydrogen filling stations in Germany," Huss said. "Even today, however, we have to start working on a standard so that customers will not be confronted with various systems. Standardizing the refueling coupler is a must. Liquid hydrogen provides the most convenient way in transporting hydrogen fuel before a hydrogen pipeline infrastructure is in place. By teaming together, we will help bring about the liquid hydrogen infrastructure faster."

GM and BMW's goal is to have affordable and compelling hydrogen vehicles for sale by 2010 and the companies need to concentrate on the storage and handling technology to achieve this goal.