BMW is testing the iX5 Hydrogen and preparing for its series production

The BMW iX5 is going to be offered in a hydrogen fuel cell variant too, alongside the battery-electric version, plug-in hybrid, petrol, and diesel models. The iX5 Hydrogen is developed under the HyPowerDrive project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Transport (which is footing $224 million of the bill), and co-financed by the state of Bavaria (which is contributing $96 million).

The iX5 Hydrogen will be BMW's first hydrogen-powered production car. It is currently in testing, with a focus on the interaction between all of its drive system components. That includes the fuel cell system, high-voltage battery, electric motor, hydrogen tanks, and the overall system control unit.

The development teams "validate the functionality of all components within the integrated vehicle system and optimize the complex control of the systems, even under high loads", with the aim "to ensure the full performance capabilities of the drive train at all times, while further optimizing BMW's hallmark driving dynamics in the fuel cell electric vehicle", the company's official press release states.

The development process aims to achieve driving performance on par with the other versions of the iX5, with a target acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in less than five seconds and a target range of 466 miles under the WLTP cycle. Refueling should take less than five minutes.

At the same time as this testing is being performed, BMW is also starting the next prototype assembly phase for the fuel cell system at the Hydrogen Competence Center in Munich, Germany, focusing on finalizing and validating the testing methodology. Series production of the fuel cell systems will take place at the BMW Group Plant Steyr in Austria.

In fact, the first test benches and manufacturing equipment have already been set up at the Steyr facility, with employee training commencing in stages.