Hydrogen fuel cell technology.

The BMW Group is advancing hydrogen fuel cell technology as a key pillar of mobility with zero tailpipe emissions. Building on 47 years of experience in hydrogen technologies and over two decades in fuel cells, we are constantly advancing alternative powertrains while keeping an open mind to all the technologies available. Joining the vehicle portfolio in the future will be the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen, which combines up to 750 kilometres of range* (WLTP), refuelling in under five minutes and the electric xDrive with the full versatility of an X5. It underscores the BMW Group’s strategy of providing the right drive solutions for different customer needs around the world.

The BMW Group is advancing hydrogen as a key technology because mobility requires different solutions in different parts of the world. That’s why we pursue a technology-open approach, with battery-electric vehicles as our main pillar and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as a complementary option that meets specific infrastructure, energy supply or mobility requirements.

Building on 47 years of experience in hydrogen technology, the BMW Group is consistently advancing its use in powertrains. Beyond mobility, hydrogen can also be used to store energy from renewables, support grid stability and contribute to a more diversified infrastructure.

A hydrogen drive generates electricity inside the vehicle. Hydrogen from the high-pressure tanks reacts with oxygen from the ambient air in the fuel cell system, generating electricity to power the electric motor. With water vapour as a byproduct, fuel cell vehicles operate with zero tailpipe emissions. Fuel cell vehicles combine all the advantages of an electric drive with the fast refuelling of a hydrogen car.

The fuel cell system comprises far more than the cells themselves: it also includes the hydrogen and air supply systems, control units, cooling technologies and numerous other components. Together, these ensure safe, efficient operations while delivering BMW’s hallmark performance, safety and driving dynamics.

The centrepiece of the hydrogen drive is the fuel cell system. Compared with previous generations, the third generation currently in development is more efficient, more powerful and 25 percent more compact. Developed by the BMW Group in conjunction with the Toyota Motor Corporation, it will feature in the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, converting hydrogen into electricity to power the drive. The first prototypes are being built at the moment at dedicated centres of excellence in Munich and at BMW Group Plant Steyr.

The BMW Group has been building its expertise in fuel cells for more than ten years. Its first fuel cell vehicle, the BMW 535iA, was introduced in 2014. It was powered by a first-generation fuel cell drive provided entirely by Toyota. Since then, however, the BMW Group has developed its own complete fuel cell system, with only the cells provided by an external partner, to power the pilot fleet of BMW iX5 Hydrogen vehicles. Today, the BMW Group and Toyota are jointly developing a third-generation fuel cell system for passenger vehicles.

Essentially, a hydrogen drive combines hydrogen storage, a fuel cell system, a high-voltage battery and an electric motor. In the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen, the fuel is stored in the BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage unit and used to generate electricity via the fuel cell system. A high-voltage battery provides additional power, while the electric motor propels the vehicle. Together, the fuel cell technology and electric propulsion deliver BMW’s hallmark driving dynamics.

Since 2023 the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet has been on the road in selected regions worldwide, showcasing its technology and testing performance in diverse climates and terrains. So far, the cars have impressively withstood temperatures of up to 45°C as well as sand, dust, varying inclines and different humidity levels.

The hydrogen fuel-cell drive also performed on a par with the conventional combustion engine in the extreme cold: full system performance was available shortly after start-up, and range remained unaffected by the biting temperatures.

So far, the pilot fleet has travelled through more than 20 different countries including many in Europe as well as Japan, Korea, China, Australia, South Africa and the USA. It has also set an important milestone, clocking up over one million test kilometres. 
Key insights have fed into the development of the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen and reaffirm that hydrogen-powered vehicles are a viable alternative for everyday driving.

Refuelling with hydrogen is much like refuelling with diesel or petrol. In many respects, the process is familiar: connect the nozzle of the fuel hose to the vehicle, lock it in place and start refuelling. The all-new BMW iX5 Hydrogen takes less than five minutes to fill from empty. Hydrogen is transferred into the tanks under high pressure, with the system itself monitoring the process and automatically shutting it off when the tanks are full. Fast refuelling is particularly practical for long-distance driving, and the BMW Group remains committed to expanding both the charging network and the hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.

Alongside developing the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen, BMW is actively involved in establishing hydrogen filling stations. As part of this commitment, the HyMoS (Hydrogen Mobility at Scale) initiative was launched – a collaboration between multiple industry partners and institutions aimed at advancing the ecosystem for hydrogen mobility. The initiative seeks to make systems more economically viable by introducing a standardised solution that meets demand from all types of vehicles, including trucks, buses and passenger cars. This approach enables hydrogen filling stations to be optimally distributed and utilised. 

HyMoS supports existing projects as they evolve, efficiently consolidate demand and optimise hydrogen station operations. A pilot programme has been launched to strengthen existing ecosystems in Germany and France and gather valuable insights for expansion into urban areas – and potentially other countries as well.

The BMW Group has using hydrogen to power plant logistics for more than ten years. In 2013 we set up Germany’s first indoor filling station at Plant Leipzig. Together with our partners, we also use hydrogen beyond the factory gates as part of our efforts to decarbonise transport logistics. The BMW Group is involved in research projects such as H2HAUL and HyCET and is trialling the use of hydrogen in vehicle production in the paint shop at Plant Leipzig.

In the future, the plant in Leipzig will be connected to a hydrogen pipeline approximately 2 km long, which will supply the plant with hydrogen via a core network from mid-2027 onwards. This will replace traditional hydrogen delivery by truck with an industrial pipeline – a globally unique step in automotive production.

* As this is a prototype in the development phase, the statutory WLTP consumption data (and EPA) is not yet available.