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 gas cell know-how. Now, the corporate is getting ready for its first-ever manufacturing hydrogen automotive. In 2028, the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, primarily based on the upcoming G65-generation X5, will roll into showrooms. It received’t be simply one other drivetrain possibility. For BMW, it marks an announcement: that the way forward for mobility won’t be dominated by a single answer.
We sat down with Michael Rath, Vice President Hydrogen Automobiles BMW Group, to debate what BMW has realized to this point, how the iX5 will differ from earlier prototypes, and why the Munich model believes hydrogen belongs alongside EVs, hybrids, and combustion automobiles.
Classes from the Pilot Fleet
BMW’s pilot fleet of iX5 Hydrogen check automobiles was deployed throughout 20 international locations and clocked a couple of million kilometers. Rath described the outcomes as each encouraging and academic. “We discovered that this know-how could be very mature and strong,” he mentioned. “It was very stunning that the whole system is so strong at this early stage of improvement. Clients additionally cherished the driving expertise — the mix of electrical smoothness with quicker refueling.”
Nonetheless, the check program revealed some minor sensible challenges. “There have been some minor factors we discovered when it comes to 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 mentioned the selection was deliberate. “The iX5 can be obtainable with 5 drivetrains: combustion engine, diesel, plug-in hybrid, battery electrical, and hydrogen gas cell,” he defined. “The X5 is a quantity pillar of our portfolio, working all throughout the planet. And the larger the automotive, the larger the resistance — the higher hydrogen matches. It’s the appropriate know-how.”
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 gas cell system that Rath described as a serious leap. “We collectively developed the system with Toyota, and each of our corporations convey all our competencies into this cooperation. We did an enormous leap from the second era to the third when it comes to 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 lowered them in all dimensions — the water pump, the compressor, the air subsystem. Mainly, throughout all elements we saved quantity.”
Packaging and On a regular basis Usability
Whereas integrating hydrogen tanks may increase considerations about inside or baggage area, Rath burdened that the 2028 iX5 Hydrogen will really feel no totally different from its combustion or electrical counterparts in on a regular basis usability. “This automotive can be, from a buyer standpoint, absolutely like all different drivetrains when it comes to baggage and compartments,” he mentioned. “There can be no restrictions devoted for hydrogen.”
When pressed in regards to the tank structure, Rath remained tight-lipped, declining to share specifics. He did, nevertheless, stress that prospects received’t discover a distinction in usability in comparison with ICE or BEV X5 fashions. Vary will even enhance. “We actually work laborious on the vary to offer 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 received’t commit. Rath defined that BMW is partnering with power suppliers and different automakers to make fueling viable.
“We have now an initiative partnering with a number of corporations who’re into the hydrogen sport, to actually mix all our calls for on the pump,” he mentioned. “We staff as much as bundle calls for from all car sorts and outline areas 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 giant dealerships in early-adopter areas — Rath was cautious. “Possibly 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 superb density,” Rath famous. “The West Coast of the U.S. can 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 value 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 probably not tied to the present buying value of hydrogen.”
As for density, Rath gave a quantity: “In Germany, we see roughly 500 stations at least viable community to have an excellent use case for patrons with out too many roundabouts.”
The Buyer Profile
Who’s BMW constructing the iX5 Hydrogen for? Rath described the goal consumers as those that need some great benefits of electrical driving however want extra flexibility. “We see the automotive acceptable for many who need to go electrical however want quicker refueling as a function,” he mentioned. “Particularly for towing instances, in chilly climates, and possibly additionally for fleets.”
He burdened that incentives received’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 gas cell electrical automobiles are similar to battery-electric automobiles.”
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 automotive drives absolutely like a battery electrical car — clean, silent, instantaneous acceleration — and on the similar 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 gas cell system, you could have extra power within the conversion of hydrogen and oxygen. You need to use that to warmth the automotive. In a battery-electric automotive, you want a devoted heater that consumes power.”
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 automotive.”
Past the X5
So is that this simply the beginning? Rath didn’t verify further hydrogen fashions, however he emphasised the system’s scalability. “We at the moment are launching the primary automotive, and we haven’t determined but on the additional rollout,” he mentioned. “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 may stick along with your habits such as you’re used to from gasoline automobiles. All the things stays the identical, and on the similar time, you could have this instantaneous, clean acceleration.”
BMW’s Hydrogen Imaginative and prescient
BMW calls this its technology-open strategy. Fairly than wager on a single drivetrain, the corporate believes prospects ought to determine — and that totally different markets require totally different options. The iX5 Hydrogen isn’t meant to interchange battery EVs, however to enrich them. In bigger automobiles, in areas with chilly climates, or in use instances like towing, hydrogen gives benefits a BEV can’t.
Rath summed up the philosophy: “As soon as you’ll be able to refuel shortly, you don’t need to suppose across the total course of. That’s the message.”
The Street to 2028
The following three years can be decisive. Hydrogen fueling networks should develop, prices should fall, and buyer consciousness should rise. Rath is optimistic.
“There’s a lot of motion happening all internationally,” he mentioned. “We’re very assured there can be additional progress, particularly from transport and business functions.”
