BMW has unveiled the next chapter in its technology portfolio with the upcoming BMW iX5 Hydrogen — the brand’s first series-produced hydrogen-powered model. Building on a global pilot program and years of development, the new vehicle signals a bold expansion of BMW’s multi-strategy approach to mobility.
Five Powertrains. One Model.
For the first time in its history, the BMW X5 platform will accommodate five distinct drivetrain options: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cell. This breadth of choice underscores BMW’s “technology-open” strategy — ensuring flexibility for global markets where customer needs and infrastructure vary dramatically.
“Hydrogen has an essential role to play in global decarbonisation,” said Joachim Post, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development, at an event in New York. “By launching the new BMW X5 with five drive system variants, we are once again demonstrating our position as a technology pioneer.”
The New BMW iX5 Hydrogen
Set to arrive in 2028, the iX5 Hydrogen represents BMW’s third-generation fuel cell system, developed in partnership with Toyota. Compact yet powerful, the technology delivers greater range and efficiency while reducing energy consumption — ensuring the driving dynamics remain distinctly BMW.
Prototypes are already being built at the BMW Group’s competence centres in Munich and Steyr, with further key components sourced from the Landshut plant. “The new BMW iX5 Hydrogen will be a true BMW — pioneering in its class and delivering typical BMW driving pleasure,” added Michael Rath, Vice President Hydrogen Vehicles BMW Group.
Why Hydrogen Matters
Hydrogen is increasingly viewed as the missing piece in the clean mobility puzzle. Beyond serving as a renewable energy storage medium, it offers a viable solution where pure battery-electric systems face limitations — from long-haul transport to regions with challenging infrastructure.
By diversifying its drivetrain lineup, BMW ensures customers can select the right solution for their needs — whether that’s the convenience of petrol, the familiarity of hybrid, the immediacy of electric, or the versatility of hydrogen.
HyMoS: Scaling Hydrogen Infrastructure
Technology alone cannot deliver transformation without infrastructure. That’s why BMW is spearheading HyMoS (Hydrogen Mobility at Scale) — an initiative designed to strengthen hydrogen refuelling ecosystems in major cities. Working with industry and institutional partners, HyMoS pools demand across trucks, buses, and passenger cars to accelerate the commercial viability of hydrogen networks.
The pilot phase is already underway in Germany and France, with plans for expansion into other metropolitan markets.
A Technology-Open Future
By 2028, BMW will offer two fully electric drivetrain technologies — battery and hydrogen fuel cell — alongside its established ICE and hybrid options. It’s a strategy that reflects the complexity of global markets, while positioning BMW as one of the most versatile and forward-looking automotive brands.
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