BMW iX5 Hydrogen: Testing of the upcoming hydrogen SUV is underway
BMW will introduce the new generation of the X5 with five different powertrains — including one powered by a fuel cell. The company is now providing initial insights into the testing of prototypes for this hydrogen SUV, which is set to hit the market in 2028 under the name BMW iX5 Hydrogen.
Prototype of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen
Image: BMW
Starting with the fourth generation of the X5, built in Spartanburg, USA, and internally referred to as G05, BMW has put 100 modified units equipped with fuel cells on the road to gain practical experience with this technology and also allow some journalists to test drive them — we at electrive were able to try out one such vehicle two years ago as well.
The company is currently testing the first prototypes of the upcoming BMW iX5 Hydrogen, which is based on the fifth-generation X5 and referred to internally at BMW as G65. The model made its world debut at the end of June — and at that time, BMW mentioned five different powertrain options for the X5: a fully electric version named iX5, gasoline engines, diesel engines, and plug-in hybrids as the X5 model, plus the aforementioned BMW iX5 Hydrogen equipped with a hydrogen (H2) fuel cell. The first four powertrain types are set to hit the market in 2027, while the H2 version will arrive in 2028.
273 million euros in subsidies for the powertrain
By doing this, BMW is being as “technology open” as possible—a term that former CEO Oliver Zipse often liked to use. Meanwhile, the Bavarian company has also received funding several times for its hydrogen initiatives; for example, under the HyPowerDrive project, it got 273 million euros from the federal government and the state of Bavaria for developing and industrializing an innovative fuel cell electric drive system for cars such as the 2028 BMW iX5 Hydrogen.
The Munich automaker has now announced that prototypes of the new generation of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen are undergoing a comprehensive testing program, with these tests taking place, according to press photos, among other locations at the BMW test site in Aschheim near Munich. Meanwhile, a new prototype development phase for the third-generation fuel cell system has also begun at the Munich Hydrogen Competence Center. Additionally, preparations for the industrialization and future mass production of the hydrogen fuel cell system are currently underway at BMW’s engine plant in Steyr, Austria. At the BMW plant in Landshut, pre-series production of the central control unit “Energy Master” for hydrogen propulsion has already started.
"Our goal for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is clear: a true BMW — with joy of driving. To achieve this, a perfectly tuned overall system is crucial. Current testing shows how successfully the fuel cell system, high-voltage battery, and electric drive are already working together, as well as how consistently we are advancing this technology toward series production," says Josef Hochreiter, Head of Hydrogen Vehicles at BMW Group.
BMW iX5 Hydrogen is set to match the performance of the iX5
The goal of the current tests is primarily to ensure the full performance of the drive system at all times, while also “further optimizing the BMW typical driving dynamics in the fuel cell vehicle,” according to the company. The development aims for driving performance on par with that of the all-electric BMW iX5, including a target acceleration time of under five seconds from 0 to 100 km/h.
However, the question of a vehicle powered by hydrogen and a fuel cell still remains relevant. The manufacturer aims for a range of 750 km on the BMW iX5 Hydrogen — a figure that should also be achievable with the large 141-kWh battery of the new all-electric iX5. As is well known, there are far more charging stations for electric cars than hydrogen refueling stations for fuel cell vehicles. But let’s simply remain open to technology and see what the future brings!