BMW has started production of its long-awaited iX5 Hydrogen, with the firm saying the fuel has a ‘key role to play’ in future transportation.
The German firm first teased its hydrogen X5 with a concept model back in 2019 and has remained on track with its promise to put the model into small-scale production in 2022.
The cars are being produced at BMW’s Munich Research and Innovation Centre, at a pilot plant that produces all of BMW’s models initially as they progress from development to series production.
The base X5 vehicles for these hydrogen models are supplied by BMW’s factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina – where X5s are normally produced – and are then fitted with a new floor assembly so that they can accommodate two hydrogen tanks. A specific 400-volt electrical system is also installed, along with the latest generation of BMW’s battery technology.
The battery is then charged through either energy recovery or from the hydrogen fuel cell, and generates a system output of 369bhp – more than the 335bhp provided from the petrol BMW X5 xDrive40i on sale today.
Frank Weber, board member for development for BMW, said: “Hydrogen is a versatile energy source that has a key role to play as we progress towards climate neutrality. We are certain that hydrogen is set to gain significantly in importance for individual mobility and therefore consider a mixture of battery and fuel cell electric drive systems to be a sensible approach in the long term.”
The iX5 Hydrogen models produced will be used as ‘technology demonstrators’ in ‘selected regions from spring 2023’, with Weber adding: “Our BMW iX5 Hydrogen test fleet will allow us to gain new and valuable insights, enabling us to present customers with an attractive product range once the hydrogen economy becomes a widespread reality.”
BMW is targeting ‘customers for whom short refuelling stops and long ranges are a must’ with its iX5 Hydrogen, and has previously said it would put the model into series production in 2025.
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