BMW developing hydrogen model

BMW has started production of its iX5 hydrogen model with a test fleet due to go into service worldwide in the first half of this year.

It will be the company’s first sports activity vehicle featuring hydrogen fuel cell technology and follows an intensive programme of testing under demanding conditions during the development phase.

Manufacturing of the small-series hydrogen-powered vehicle is taking place at BMW Group’s Munich Research and Innovation Centre 

Frank Weber, member of the board of management responsible for development, says: “Hydrogen is a versatile energy source that has a key role to play as we progress towards climate neutrality.

“We are certain that hydrogen is set to gain significantly in importance for individual mobility and therefore consider a mixture of battery and fuel cell electric drive systems to be a sensible approach in the long term. 

“Fuel cells don’t require any critical raw materials such as cobalt, lithium or nickel either, so by investing in this type of drive system we are also strengthening the geopolitical resilience of the BMW Group.”

Weber adds the iX5 hydrogen test fleet will allow the marque to gain valuable insights that will enable it to deliver “an attractive product range” once the hydrogen economy becomes widespread.

The hydrogen model has been developed on the BMW X5 platform, which is then fitted with a new floor assembly to accommodate the two hydrogen tanks in the centre tunnel and under the rear seat unit. 

The model-specific 12V and 400V electrical systems, high-performance battery, electric motor and fuel cell are all integrated during the assembly stage, alongside standard production parts.