BMW iX5 Hydrogen enters series production with full drivetrain range

BMW presents iX5 Hydrogen, its first series-produced fuel cell model, as part of a lineup offering five powertrain variants and promoting hydrogen infrastructure.

The BMW Group has officially confirmed the transition from pilot fleet to full-scale production of its first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle – the BMW iX5 Hydrogen. This model will become part of the updated BMW X5 lineup, which for the first time will offer five drivetrain options: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, fully electric, and hydrogen fuel cell.

The company describes its technology-open strategy as a key success factor, enabling it to respond flexibly to different customer needs and global market trends. Prototype vehicles have already been built in Munich and Steyr, while the BMW Group plant in Landshut will supply key fuel-cell components. Series production of the iX5 Hydrogen is scheduled for 2028.

The technical data underline the ambition: the combined system output reaches 295 kW (around 401 hp) with a WLTP range of about 500 km. Two 700-bar tanks store roughly six kilograms of hydrogen, allowing refueling in just three to four minutes. The system is based on BMW’s third-generation fuel cell technology, co-developed with Toyota, featuring a more compact design and higher efficiency.

Alongside the vehicle launch, BMW is spearheading the HyMoS (Hydrogen Mobility at Scale) initiative, which aims to create urban hydrogen ecosystems by pooling demand from passenger cars, buses, and trucks to make refueling networks economically viable. Pilot projects are already underway in Germany and France, with future expansion to other countries under consideration.

Infrastructure remains a challenge: in 2025, network operator H2 Mobility announced the closure of underused stations in Germany and a stronger focus on heavy-duty transport. This highlights the need for coordinated growth and reliable hydrogen supply before large-scale adoption becomes feasible.

Industry observers see BMW’s move as a signal that hydrogen technology is moving beyond experimental status. With Toyota as a partner and participation in European programs such as IPCEI Hy2Move, BMW is positioning itself as one of the few premium automakers committed to offering both battery-electric and fuel-cell options, reinforcing its image as a technology pioneer.