The BMW iX5 Hydrogen

In the field of sustainable mobility, BMW has struck another blow: the BMW iX5 Hydrogen was recently presented in Antwerp. With the new Sports Activity Vehicle, BMW offers an additional option in the field of sustainable driving: the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is powered by hydrogen.

The BMW iX5 combines the power, comfort and versatility of a BMW X model with groundbreaking propulsion technology. The propulsion system that uses hydrogen as fuel produces 170 horsepower. The electric motor (like that of the BMW iX) was developed using fifth-generation BMW eDrive Technology and delivers an output of 374 hp. This ensures the sporty driving experience.

Hydrogen as an additional option for sustainable driving

Hydrogen is a versatile energy source that plays a key role in the energy transition process and thus in climate protection. After all, it is one of the most efficient ways to store and transport renewable energy," said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Management Board of BMW AG. "We must use this potential to also accelerate the transformation of the mobility sector. Hydrogen is the missing piece of the puzzle when it comes to emission-free mobility. One technology alone is not enough to make climate-neutral mobility possible worldwide." To achieve this, hydrogen must be produced using renewable energy. Infrastructure must also support this technology.

The drive system in the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is further evidence of BMW Group's leading development expertise in electric drive technologies. BMW Group is systematically continuing to develop hydrogen fuel cell technology as an additional option for locally emission-free individual mobility in the future, alongside battery-electric vehicles.

BMW Group produces the highly efficient fuel cell systems for all examples of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen at its own hydrogen competence center in Munich. This technology is one of the core elements of this hydrogen-electric SUV and generates a continuous high output of 125 kW/170 hp. In the fuel cell, a chemical reaction takes place between gaseous hydrogen from the two hydrogen tanks and oxygen from the air. Maintaining a constant supply of both elements to the membranes of the fuel cell is critical to the efficiency of the propulsion system.

Several powertrain components correspond to those of internal combustion engines, think intake air coolers, air filters, control units and sensors. But special hydrogen components are needed for the new fuel cell system. These include, for example, the high-speed turbine compressor and the high-voltage coolant pump, all developed by BMW Group.

Hydrogen enables fast refueling
The hydrogen needed to power the fuel cell sits gaseously at a pressure of 700 bar in two tanks made of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). Together these contain nearly six kilograms of hydrogen, enough to give the BMW iX5 Hydrogen a range of 504 km in the WLTP cycle. Filling the hydrogen tanks takes only three to four minutes. On longer distances, short stops are sufficient to then continue on the road, one of the great advantages of hydrogen technology.

Technical data BMW iX5 Hydrogen

• Maximum power of electric motor: 295 kW/401 hp
• Maximum electric motor torque: 720 Nm
• Continuous fuel cell power: 125 kW/170 hp
• Acceleration 0-100 km/h: less than 6 seconds
• Top speed: 205 km/h (with fully charged battery), 185 km/h
• Hydrogen consumption in WLTP test cycle: 1.19 kg/100 km
• Driving range WLTP test cycle: 504 km
• Capacity 2 hydrogen tanks: 6 kilograms of gaseous hydrogen
• Filling time hydrogen tanks: 3-4 minutes
• Drive: rear wheels

THE BMW iX5 IN VIEW