BMW and Toyota are working collectively to carry the iX5 Hydrogen to life. For the primary time, the brand new BMW iX5 will likely be supplied in 5 completely different powertrains, together with an EV, plug-in hybrid, fuel, diesel, and hydrogen-powered fashions.
The brand new BMW iX5 is an EV, PHEV, Hydrogen, and fuel automobile
By launching the brand new BMW iX5 with a selection of 5 drive system variants, we’re as soon as once more demonstrating our main place as a expertise pioneer,” BMW’s growth boss, Joachim Submit, mentioned throughout an occasion in New York on Monday.
Submit added that “Hydrogen has a vital half to play in world decarbonisation,” whereas committing to advancing the expertise for future use.
The brand new hydrogen-powered iX5 will likely be based mostly on its third-gen gas cell system, which BMW is growing by a partnership with Toyota. BMW claims the brand new system is extra highly effective, environment friendly, and compact, “thereby growing vary and output similtaneously lowering vitality consumption.”
BMW mentioned it’s already constructing the primary prototypes in Munich and on the BMW Group Plant Steyr in Austria. Extra elements will come from the Group’s Landshut plant in Germany.
Regardless of a unique powertrain, “the brand new BMW iX5 Hydrogen will likely be a real BMW,” guarantees Michael Rath, the Group’s vp of hydrogen automobiles.
Following pilot checks, the brand new iX5 is ready to launch in 2028 as BMW’s first mass-produced hydrogen-powered mannequin.
BMW can also be “actively concerned” in increasing hydrogen refueling stations within the area. The automaker has already began a pilot part in partnership with others in Germany and France, with plans to develop to different nations quickly.
We’ll be taught official specs and pricing nearer to launch. Nevertheless, in keeping with Autocar, the brand new BMW iX5 Hydrogen will likely be based mostly on an up to date model of its CLAR platform, relatively than the Neue Klasse EV platform. It’s anticipated to supply round 313 miles of vary.
Electrek’s Take
Didn’t we already show that battery electrical (EV) expertise is superior to Hydrogen? I suppose not. A number of automakers are nonetheless betting on hydrogen automobiles with vital investments, together with BMW, Toyota, and Hyundai.
Based on SNE Analysis, solely 4,102 gas cell electrical automobiles (FCEVs) have been offered within the first half of 2025, 27% fewer than the identical interval final yr.
Hyundai led with 1,252, largely NEXO fashions offered. Toyota ranked second with 698 Mirai and Crown fashions, a 46% lower in comparison with final yr.
The report highlights that “The hydrogen automobile market nonetheless faces structural limitations, together with inadequate refueling infrastructure, excessive automobile prices, and restricted subsidies.” Nevertheless, it added “rising technological collaboration amongst OEMs, and intergovernmental hydrogen diplomacy are progressively paving the way in which for growth.”
Is Hydrogen the “lacking piece for finishing the electrical mobility puzzle,” as BMW claims? We’ll discover out over the subsequent few years as new, extra superior EVs, PHEVs, extended-range automobiles (EREVs), and different powertrain varieties hit the market.
