BMW has initiated road testing for the iX5 Hydrogen, a fuel-cell version of the X5 scheduled for a 2028 market launch. The vehicle utilizes hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity for its dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, rather than burning fuel in an internal combustion engine.
The model features seven high-pressure composite tanks capable of holding up to 7 kg of hydrogen. BMW estimates that refueling will take less than five minutes, while the vehicle is expected to achieve a range of approximately 750 km based on the WLTP cycle.
Performance targets include accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in under five seconds, surpassing the 5.2–5.4 second time of the gasoline-powered X5 40i xDrive. The company notes that the tank placement does not reduce passenger space compared to the electric iX5.
The vehicle incorporates third-generation fuel cells developed in partnership with Toyota, which are 25% more compact than previous versions. Engineers are currently evaluating the performance of the fuel cells, electric motors, and other components across various road and climate conditions.
