BMW Group has unveiled the iX5 Hydrogen, the brand’s first series-produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. With this launch, the X5 now offers five drivetrain options: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cell.
The iX5 Hydrogen follows a successful pilot fleet phase and incorporates a third-generation fuel cell system developed in collaboration with Toyota. The system is more compact, efficient, and powerful, aiming to increase driving range while reducing energy consumption.
Joachim Post, BMW Board Member for Development, said: “By launching the new BMW X5 with a choice of five drive system variants, we are demonstrating our leading position as a technology pioneer. Hydrogen has an essential role in global decarbonisation.”
Technology-Open Strategy
BMW’s approach of offering multiple drivetrains allows the company to meet diverse customer needs while optimizing manufacturing and integration efficiency. From 2028, the X5 will include two fully electric drivetrain options: battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell, reinforcing BMW’s technology-open strategy.
Michael Rath, Vice President Hydrogen Vehicles BMW Group, added: “The iX5 Hydrogen will be pioneering in its class while delivering BMW’s characteristic driving experience.”
HyMoS Initiative and Hydrogen Ecosystem
The Hydrogen Mobility at Scale (HyMoS) initiative aims to support hydrogen infrastructure and refueling networks in metropolitan areas, starting with a pilot phase in Germany. The program brings together industry and institutional partners to make hydrogen mobility more economically viable across vehicles, including cars, buses, and trucks. Insights from these projects will inform potential expansion to other regions.
Hydrogen as a Future Energy Carrier
Hydrogen is considered a key enabler for decarbonisation and renewable energy storage. It complements battery electric solutions in scenarios where battery systems are less practical, helping balance supply and demand in the energy grid.
Production and Components
Prototypes are being built at BMW’s competence centres in Munich and Steyr, with drive system components coming from the Landshut plant. Energy consumption figures under WLTP are not yet available as the iX5 Hydrogen remains in the development phase.
The launch of the iX5 Hydrogen underscores BMW’s commitment to flexible technology deployment, sustainability, and innovation as part of its broader vehicle portfolio.
