How can hydrogen technology be integrated into a car in a way that combines greater range, faster refuelling and BMW’s trademark sheer driving pleasure? The answer lies in the BMW iX5 Hydrogen – and it’s as clever as it is elegant: the new BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage system. With its innovative geometry, the new system stores around seven kilograms of hydrogen and takes less than five minutes to refuel.
Innovation
09.04.2026
9 MIN
Technology-open approach meets the art of engineering:
New hydrogen tank system in the BMW iX5 Hydrogen.
Clever storage, more range.
When it comes to hydrogen in the BMW X5, the powertrain is only part of the equation. Equally important is how the fuel storage system is integrated – and that’s where BMW’s latest tank technology comes into play.
The BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage system in the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is a case in point. Its new arrangement and tank size not only offer a higher range of up to 750 kilometres1 but also have the added advantage of making exceptionally efficient use of the available installation space. That means the new system is fully compatible with the Gen6 high-voltage battery – without compromising on space inside the cabin.
It also means models with fuel cell technology can be built on the same production line as other models. The 700-bar high-pressure hydrogen tanks additionally benefit from the mechanical protection provided by the vehicle structure, increasing safety even further.
Our new storage concept allows us to fit the hydrogen drive system into the new X5 precisely and in a way that saves space,” says Dr Joachim Post, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development. “Think of it as installation Tetris: every customer gets the drive system best suited to their needs and a true BMW X5 with no compromises. This is technology openness and the art of engineering just the way we developers love them!
All-new storage system increases range.
The new flat tank system consists of seven high-pressure tanks made of carbon fibre-reinforced composite, which are connected in parallel and integrated into a robust metal frame. What sets this design apart is that, instead of individual pressure vessels, multiple chambers are connected to form an enclosed unit controlled by a central main valve. This optimised storage concept increases the range of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen – and has also resulted in several patent applications being filed by the BMW Group.
The system can store at least seven kilograms of hydrogen in total and can be filled from empty in under five minutes. As with all BMW hydrogen models, refuelling is safe, clean and fast.
The advantage of BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage.
BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage technology forms an integral part of the powertrain, combining with the fuel cell system and the innovative high-voltage battery to deliver the sheer driving pleasure BMW is known for.
The new BMW iX5 Hydrogen also benefits from the new Heart of Joy control software for the drivetrain and chassis, as well as BMW Dynamic Performance Control. It is equipped with latest-generation Gen3 fuel cell technology, which is more efficient and powerful than previous generations.
How the hydrogen model will be integrated into production.
Thanks to its smart and highly flexible architecture, the new BMW X5 can be fitted with a choice of five different powertrains, depending on the customer’s requirements – from battery-electric and plug-in hybrid to highly efficient conventional drives and hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Synergies in production are leveraged to maximum effect, with uniform geometric specifications for energy storage systems and drive components reducing both technical complexity and production costs. At the same time, the flexible platform enhances manufacturing robustness, facilitates the integration of new technologies and maximises scalability – paving the way for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen to be rolled out across the BMW Group’s production network in 2028.
The BMW Group Hydrogen strategy.
A technology-open approach and a diverse product portfolio remain key success factors for the BMW Group. By integrating fuel cell technology into the new BMW X5, we are strategically expanding our production line-up and making the benefits of hydrogen mobility available to customers.
Hydrogen offers electric driving with a long range and fast refuelling, while diversifying energy sources and reducing dependence on a single infrastructure or raw material supply chain.
The HyPowerDrive project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) as part of the IPCEI Hy2Move. The German Federal Government is providing €191 million in funding, with additional (co-)funding of €82 million from the State of Bavaria. Funding is implemented by Project Management Jülich (PtJ) and coordinated by NOW GmbH.
With the pilot fleet having tested successfully worldwide, the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen will be the first hydrogen-powered model from the BMW Group to enter series production – in 2028. “The new BMW iX5 Hydrogen will be a true BMW and a pioneer in hydrogen technology. It will offer the same driving pleasure as every BMW,” says Michael Rath, Head of Hydrogen Vehicles at the BMW Group.
Series production of the first hydrogen-powered BMW is scheduled to start in 2028. With the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, the BMW Group will be introducing its first fuel-cell-powered model to its vehicle line-up, adding a further emissions-free option to its technology-open drive portfolio.
Inside the fuel cell, hydrogen from the tanks reacts electrochemically with oxygen from the ambient air to generate electricity. This is then used to power the vehicle and supply energy to its electrical systems.
The new BMW iX5 Hydrogen will feature the third-generation fuel cell system jointly developed by the BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation. The new system is more compact as well as more powerful and efficient.
BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage technology is an innovative tank system comprising multiple parallel-connected high-pressure tank units housed in a robust metal frame. Thanks to its new geometry, the flat storage system takes up the same installation space as a Gen6 high-voltage battery – without encroaching on the interior. It delivers increased range and enables faster refuelling, completed in just a few minutes.
Hydrogen represents a second pillar of electric mobility, alongside battery-electric vehicles, and combines an electric driving experience with fast refuelling. It is regarded as a future-ready energy carrier with significant potential to help advance global decarbonisation. Moreover, as a storage medium for energy from renewables, hydrogen can help balance supply and demand, enhancing the resilience of the overall energy system.
1 CO2 emissions and fuel consumption: This vehicle is a prototype in development, so statutory WLTP consumption data is not yet available.
Learn more about hydrogen fuel cell technology at the BMW Group.
