BMW and French fuel company TOTAL have agreed terms to set up a trial of three hydrogen filling stations. The stations will support the introduction of BMW hydrogen cars into the European, or more specifically, German market.

TOTAL opened the first public hydrogen filling station in Berlin in March 2006. In conjunction with BMW, the company will open another in Detmoldstrasse in Munich near BMW's Research and Innovation Centre (better known as FIZ) before the end of 2006. The decision on the location of the third station is to be taken in the next few weeks.

BMW is on record stating it will offer a hydrogen-fuelled 7 Series for public consumption within two years.