BMW gets in electric bed with Toyota

Walking along the streets of Belfast, you are constantly reminded that this is where Back To The Future's super electric DeLorean car was assembled. While no one is expecting time travel any time soon, we're definitely moving into a world of electric dreams. BMW had dreams of its own, which it has now dumped in favour of some Japanese flavour. KitGuru recharges its AAs and goes for a drive down ‘shape of he future' lane.

Electricity can be annoying stuff. It's absolutely everywhere and so are the means to produce it. But getting the amount you need, when you need it and in the form you need it, takes a little planning. But like being on a boat in the ocean and looking for drinking water.

BMW's approach to the energy-source of tomorrow, had been to create engines that unleash the power of hydrogen being combusted. You know, the stuff that NASA's made of – but without the 3 stage rocket boosters. Unfortunately, the German geniuses seem to have hit a dead end – at least for now.

It's next venture was to pony up with French partnership, Peugeot-Citroen to create a major new force in European car production. But this seems to have gone tits-up.

At 6:30 on Friday morning, Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda will be treated by BMW's CEO Norbert Reithofer at the German car giant's headquarters in Munich.

On the table will be a draft agreement on how BMW and Toyota can work together to develop Toyota's Lithium-ion battery technology. In return, Toyota will begin to receive a huge volume of BMW diesel engines, starting in 2014.

Does that leave Peugeot-Citroen licking its wounds and sulking? Not at all. The saucy French minx has already began claiming in bed with GM for a lick of its formidable battery technology.

With uncanny timing, Scientists in Paris have announced that they hae succeeded in creating a Nickel-Iron battery that can charge and discharge enormous amounts of electricity in seconds. Industry experts are already predicting that future electric cars may come in two distinct flavours: Economic, with a simple ‘drive' battery and Performance, with a second Nickel-Iron battery for monster acceleration.

KitGuru says: For most people on the planet, cars represent their biggest technology spend. Moving to emission-free fuel will be a big help, but how will these new strategic, global partnerships affect our buying choices in the future?

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