BMW will launch a brand new X5 mannequin providing 5 totally different drivetrain applied sciences, making it the primary automobile to mix battery electrical, plug-in hybrid, petrol, diesel, and hydrogen gas cell choices in a single mannequin vary. The hydrogen gas cell variant, branded the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, will enter manufacturing in 2028 as the corporate’s first series-produced hydrogen automobile.
“By launching the brand new BMW X5 with a selection of 5 drive system variants, we’re as soon as once more demonstrating our main place as a expertise pioneer,” mentioned Joachim Publish, Member of the Board of Administration of BMW AG, Improvement, at a BMW occasion in New York. “Hydrogen has a necessary half to play in world decarbonisation, which is why we’re dedicated to driving the expertise ahead.”
The iX5 Hydrogen will use a third-generation gas cell system developed in collaboration with Toyota Motor Company. BMW states this method includes a extra compact design with improved energy and effectivity in comparison with earlier generations, leading to elevated vary and output whereas decreasing power consumption. Prototypes are presently being constructed at BMW’s competence centres in Munich and on the BMW Group Plant Steyr, with extra drive system elements sourcing from the corporate’s Landshut facility.
The multi-drivetrain strategy displays BMW’s technology-open technique for assembly various buyer calls for globally. From 2028, the BMW lineup will embody each battery electrical and hydrogen gas cell autos as totally electrical choices. The corporate’s manufacturing buildings are designed to accommodate this vary of applied sciences effectively throughout improvement, buying and manufacturing processes.
BMW positions hydrogen as a complementary expertise to battery electrical techniques, significantly for purposes the place batteries might not present optimum options. The corporate views hydrogen as an power storage medium for renewable sources that may assist stability provide and demand within the electrical grid.
Past automobile improvement, BMW is collaborating within the HyMoS (Hydrogen Mobility at Scale) initiative to broaden hydrogen refueling infrastructure. This program goals to help hydrogen ecosystems in metropolitan areas by pooling demand throughout totally different automobile varieties together with vehicles, buses and passenger vehicles to enhance financial viability of hydrogen stations.
The initiative operates by way of partnerships with trade and institutional members, focusing initially on current ecosystems in Germany and France throughout a pilot section. This system shares experiences throughout tasks and offers trade companion help to maximise the potential of hydrogen infrastructure investments.
“The brand new BMW iX5 Hydrogen shall be a real BMW – pioneering in its class and delivering the BMW typical driving pleasure,” mentioned Michael Rath, Vice President Hydrogen Automobiles BMW Group. The automobile follows profitable world testing of BMW’s pilot hydrogen fleet, marking the transition from experimental expertise to industrial manufacturing for the German automaker.
