BMW and Shell design a futuristic hydrogen fuelling station
As if, designing sexy looking cars is not enough, BMW has designed a hydrogen fuel dispensing station right out of the future. Yup, you heard it right! The subsidiary of the BMW group, DesignWorks, together with the Shell Energy company, has designed a hydrogen fuel station that not only looks drool worthy but also provides an efficient refueling solution.
The concept uses an I-shaped pillar, which does away with all the mechanicals and acts a focal point, freeing up space in the middle; unlike the H-shaped and L-shaped fuel dispensers of today. The design has been created through a holistic and innovative approach with a design process called as “Fixstern”. The concept has been termed as Oasis and has been designed rising upwards to look like a beacon that can be seen from a distance, drawing inspiration from the nature itself.
No mechanical part of the futuristic dispenser meets the user in the eye. The new pick up and mounting system is highly intuitive and a light guidance system and an information screen gives the users the perfect futuristic experience while the usability quotient is increased by a sleek streamlined nozzle.
“Customers are at the heart of what we do,” said Oliver Bishop, Hydrogen General Manager at Shell. “We are pleased to have collaborated with Designworks in the development of a new hydrogen dispenser that will allow us to provide customers an improved hydrogen experience. It will not only make refuelling seamless, it will also help make hydrogen fuel an even more attractive option in the future.”
BMW aims to create a clean and efficient future and the Oasis dispenser system is a part of its green initiative. With the fast depletion of fossil based fuels, alternative fuels hold the future and hydrogen is a front runner to replace the current fuel. So, design a refueling station for the hydrogen fuel is not a bad idea. Also, BMW has also been installing a lot of electric vehicles (EV) charging stations throughout US. BMW is definitely thinking for the future.
Credits: BMW
