Fifth gen BMW X5 will offer hydrogen drivetrain option

BMW has said that the fifth gen X5, which is currently still in development, will be the first model to offer customers a choice of battery electric, plug-in hybrid, petrol, diesel, and hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Regarding the latter, BMW has said that the new iX5 Hydrogen, its first ever series-produced, hydrogen-powered model, is scheduled for production in 2028. Its drive technology is based on the third gen fuel cell system that BMW is developing in collaboration with Toyota.

The upcoming BMW iX5 Hydrogen is slated to begin production in 2028

This technological advance paves the way for a system with a more compact design that is also more powerful and efficient, thereby increasing range and output at the same time as reducing energy consumption. BMW's competence centres in Munich and its Steyr plant have already begun building first prototypes, with further drive system components coming from the Landshut plant.

As well as developing the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen, BMW is also actively involved in efforts to expand the hydrogen refuelling network. The HyMoS (Hydrogen Mobility at Scale) initiative was established with the aim of increasing the economic viability of hydrogen mobility ecosystems by pooling the demand for all types of vehicles, including trucks, buses, and passenger cars. This will help to reach an optimal distribution and usage of hydrogen stations.