BMW iX5 Hydrogen has entered its next development phase on the way to series production, with current prototypes undergoing an extensive testing program while the third-generation fuel cell system begins a new assembly phase at BMW’s Hydrogen Competence Centre in Munich.
In parallel, BMW is preparing for industrialization and future series production of the fuel cell system at its engine plant in Steyr, Austria.
Josef Hochreiter, head of Hydrogen Vehicles at BMW Group, said the goal is for the iX5 Hydrogen to feel like a genuine BMW built around Sheer Driving Pleasure, and pointed to current testing as evidence the fuel cell system, high-voltage battery and electric drivetrain are already working together as intended on the path toward production.
Validating the Full System
Current testing centers on how the fuel cell system, electric motor, high-voltage battery, BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage and the Energy Master control unit work together under demanding conditions, with engineers optimizing system control under heavy load to keep the drivetrain performing at full capability while refining BMW’s signature driving dynamics.
The high-voltage battery and Energy Master combination is designed to boost recuperation performance and overall efficiency, and BMW is targeting driving performance comparable to the standard iX5, including a 0-100 km/h time under five seconds.
Fuel Cell Production Takes Shape
Alongside vehicle testing, the next prototype-assembly phase for the third-generation fuel cell system is underway in Munich, focused on finalizing test methodology and further preparing for industrial-scale manufacturing — a step up from the previous phase, which centered on component buildability and qualifying suppliers. Series production of the fuel cell system itself will eventually happen at BMW Group Plant Steyr.
Claudia Stephan, head of Technology Development and Fuel Cell Prototype Assembly, said prototype assembly is about more than building individual parts — each phase helps refine processes and builds experience that gets shared directly with the Steyr team, laying groundwork for the steps that follow. The first test benches and manufacturing equipment are already installed at Steyr, with staff being trained in stages as the two sites work in close coordination toward eventual production ramp-up.
Hydrogen as a Complement, Not a Replacement
BMW frames the iX5 Hydrogen as part of its broader technology-open strategy, positioning hydrogen fuel cell power as a complement to battery-electric vehicles in situations calling for long range, quick refueling and high versatility.
The car targets up to 750km of WLTP range with refueling under five minutes while still driving as a fully electric vehicle, and will become BMW Group’s first hydrogen-powered production model following a global pilot fleet test program — after which the BMW X5 will offer customers a choice between battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, petrol, diesel or hydrogen fuel cell versions.
Inside the fuel cell, hydrogen from the car’s tanks reacts electrochemically with oxygen from the air to generate the electric current that drives the motor, using a third-generation fuel cell system co-developed with Toyota Motor Corporation; additional system components are built at BMW’s Landshut facility.
Backed by German and Bavarian Funding
Development of the iX5 Hydrogen’s powertrain and tank system is partly funded through the HyPowerDrive project under Germany’s IPCEI Hy2Move program, with the country’s Federal Ministry of Transport providing €191 million and the state of Bavaria contributing a further €82 million, administered by Projektträger Jülich and coordinated by NOW GmbH.