QUICK LINKSBMW has dabbled with hydrogen for many years — from the Hydrogen 7 luxurious sedans of the 2000s to newer prototypes that quietly examined the boundaries of gasoline cell expertise. Now, the corporate is getting ready for its first-ever manufacturing hydrogen automobile. In 2028, the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, primarily based on the upcoming G65-generation X5, will roll into showrooms. It gained’t be simply one other drivetrain choice. For BMW, it marks a press release: that the way forward for mobility is not going to be dominated by a single resolution.
We sat down with Michael Rath, Vice President Hydrogen Autos BMW Group, to debate what BMW has discovered to this point, how the iX5 will differ from earlier prototypes, and why the Munich model believes hydrogen belongs alongside EVs, hybrids, and combustion vehicles.
Classes from the Pilot Fleet
BMW’s pilot fleet of iX5 Hydrogen check vehicles was deployed throughout 20 nations and clocked a couple of million kilometers. Rath described the outcomes as each encouraging and academic. “We came upon that this expertise could be very mature and strong,” he stated. “It was very stunning that your complete system is so strong at this early stage of improvement. Clients additionally beloved the driving expertise — the mixture of electrical smoothness with sooner refueling.”
Nonetheless, the check program revealed some minor sensible challenges. “There have been some minor factors we came upon by way of freeze preparation — how do you handle all of the water inside the system when temperatures drop? That’s one thing we thought-about for the collection mannequin.”
Why the X5?
Why launch hydrogen within the X5? Rath stated the selection was deliberate. “The iX5 will likely be accessible with 5 drivetrains: combustion engine, diesel, plug-in hybrid, battery electrical, and hydrogen gasoline cell,” he defined. “The X5 is a quantity pillar of our portfolio, working all throughout the planet. And the larger the automobile, the larger the resistance — the higher hydrogen matches. It’s the suitable expertise.”
The choice additionally highlights the flexibility of BMW’s CLAR structure, which was designed from the begin to accommodate a number of powertrains.
A Third-Era Gasoline Cell, Constructed with Toyota
BMW’s hydrogen improvement continues in partnership with Toyota. The 2028 iX5 will debut a third-generation gasoline cell system that Rath described as a significant leap. “We collectively developed the system with Toyota, and each of our firms carry all our competencies into this cooperation. We did an enormous leap from the second era to the third by way of effectivity, energy, and particularly quantity. The system is 25% smaller than earlier than.”
The downsizing wasn’t achieved by a single breakthrough, however by incremental enhancements throughout the system. “We diminished them in all dimensions — the water pump, the compressor, the air subsystem. Principally, throughout all parts we saved quantity.”
Packaging and On a regular basis Usability
Whereas integrating hydrogen tanks may increase considerations about inside or baggage area, Rath confused that the 2028 iX5 Hydrogen will really feel no completely different from its combustion or electrical counterparts in on a regular basis usability. “This automobile will likely be, from a buyer viewpoint, totally like all different drivetrains by way of baggage and compartments,” he stated. “There will likely be no restrictions devoted for hydrogen.”
When pressed concerning the tank format, Rath remained tight-lipped, declining to share specifics. He did, nonetheless, stress that prospects gained’t discover a distinction in usability in comparison with ICE or BEV X5 fashions. Vary can even enhance. “We actually work laborious on the vary to supply greater than now, as a result of it’s crucial at an early stage when station density is low.”
Infrastructure: The Largest Hurdle
On Location BMW iX5 Hydrogen AntwerpNo dialogue of hydrogen is full with out addressing infrastructure. BMW is aware of that with out stations, prospects gained’t commit. Rath defined that BMW is partnering with vitality suppliers and different automakers to make fueling viable.
“We now have an initiative partnering with a number of firms who’re into the hydrogen recreation, to essentially mix all our calls for on the pump,” he stated. “We group as much as bundle calls for from all car sorts and outline places the place refueling stations can work on a worthwhile foundation, in order that they’re coming to remain.”
When pressed on whether or not BMW would possibly discover dealer-based refueling pilots — as an example, putting in hydrogen pumps at massive dealerships in early-adopter areas — Rath was cautious. “Perhaps it’s too early to speak about,” he admitted, declining to provide specifics.
Globally, hydrogen availability stays uneven. “Japan and South Korea have already got excellent density,” Rath famous. “The West Coast of the U.S. can also be promising, although California is struggling a little bit as a result of costs are too excessive — round $36 per kilogram.”
In Europe, costs differ. Rath cited €18/kg in Antwerp, although he admitted that’s nonetheless costly. “We predict a worth level at roughly €10 is possible,” he added. “At that degree, hydrogen is aggressive with gasoline.”
BMW believes economies of scale will assist. “Proper now, costs are very a lot pushed by distribution prices and working prices on the pump. As soon as there’s turnover, the worth scales down. It’s not likely tied to the present buying worth of hydrogen.”
As for density, Rath gave a quantity: “In Germany, we see roughly 500 stations at the least viable community to have an excellent use case for purchasers with out too many roundabouts.”
The Buyer Profile
Who’s BMW constructing the iX5 Hydrogen for? Rath described the goal patrons as those that need some great benefits of electrical driving however want extra flexibility. “We see the automobile acceptable for individuals who need to go electrical however want sooner refueling as a characteristic,” he stated. “Particularly for towing circumstances, in chilly climates, and possibly additionally for fleets.”
He confused that incentives gained’t outline the market. “You can’t actually plan round incentives as a result of they’re turning so quick. In most areas, incentives for gasoline cell electrical autos are similar to battery-electric autos.”
Benefits Over BEVs
For these questioning why hydrogen is required in any respect, Rath pointed to its distinctive advantages. “The principle benefit is that the automobile drives totally like a battery electrical car — clean, silent, prompt acceleration — and on the identical time, it refuels like a gasoline engine in 4 minutes,” he defined. “It combines some great benefits of each worlds.”
Chilly-weather efficiency is one other edge. “In a gasoline cell system, you may have extra vitality within the conversion of hydrogen and oxygen. You need to use that to warmth the automobile. In a battery-electric automobile, you want a devoted heater that consumes vitality.”
On weight, Rath admitted the numbers are nonetheless below improvement. “The primary iX5 Hydrogen was roughly in the identical vary of weight because the plug-in hybrid. We haven’t disclosed the manufacturing weight but for the brand new automobile.”
Past the X5
So is that this simply the beginning? Rath didn’t affirm extra hydrogen fashions, however he emphasised the system’s scalability. “We are actually launching the primary automobile, and we haven’t determined but on the additional rollout,” he stated. “However the system is designed to be rolled out in a number of programs.”
When requested what he would inform a skeptical EV buyer standing in a dealership, Rath’s reply was easy: “Not altering your habits. You’ll be able to stick together with your habits such as you’re used to from gasoline vehicles. All the pieces stays the identical, and on the identical time, you may have this prompt, clean acceleration.”
BMW’s Hydrogen Imaginative and prescient
BMW calls this its technology-open method. Relatively than guess on a single drivetrain, the corporate believes prospects ought to determine — and that completely different markets require completely different options. The iX5 Hydrogen isn’t meant to switch battery EVs, however to enhance them. In bigger autos, in areas with chilly climates, or in use circumstances like towing, hydrogen affords benefits a BEV can’t.
Rath summed up the philosophy: “As soon as you possibly can refuel shortly, you don’t must suppose across the complete course of. That’s the message.”
The Highway to 2028
The following three years will likely be decisive. Hydrogen fueling networks should develop, prices should fall, and buyer consciousness should rise. Rath is optimistic.
“There’s a lot of motion occurring all internationally,” he stated. “We’re very assured there will likely be additional progress, particularly from transport and business purposes.”
