Hydrogen-powered BMW iX5 will enter series production in 2028

With fast-approaching electric mandates and a current crop of BEVs which don’t easily slot into all lifestyles, BMW’s latest iX5 asks if hydrogen power is the missing piece of the puzzle.

Whether it’s Porsche’s mix of ICE, hybrid, electric, and synthetic fuels, or Mazda’s perseverance with DCPCI diesel engine technology alongside its fully electric offerings, when it comes to propulsion, nearly every car maker is hedging its bets right now. 

But few models have their chips spread across more of the proverbial table than BMW’s upcoming X5. Set to house no fewer than five different propulsion types, the upcoming SUV has an engine option for all tastes. As you’d expect, that list includes your standard petrol and diesel offerings, as well as a plug-in hybrid and even a full BEV for the first time. However, that news pales in comparison to BMW’s latest announcement: a hydrogen-powered X5 is coming to the mass market. 

And who better to pull it off than one of the pioneers of H2-powered cars? After first modifying a BMW 520 (E12) to run on liquid hydrogen in 1979, the Bavarian brand has continued to dabble with H2 prototypes for 45 years. In fact, it’s not even the first time they’ve hooked up hydrogen to an X5, as you can see from the test mule we spotted at Munich Motor Show.

Though it may look just like a regular X5 — with the exception of that bold paintjob — this modified machine formed part of BMW’s pilot project for fuel-cell powered passenger cars. Since 2023 a fleet of BMW Ix5 Hydrogens have undergone a rigorous real-world testing regime in some of the most challenging environments known to man. From Europe to Japan, and the Middle East, the Hydrogen fleet has proven its mettle in temperatures from sub-zero to 45 degrees — and shrugged off the effects of sand, dust, and fluctuating humidity. 

Which leads us to the production model: the all-new iX5 hydrogen. As the brand’s first series-production hydrogen car, the fuel-cell iX5 is set to debut in 2028 and will be based on the upcoming G65-generation X5 — which should share design language with the recently revealed iX3. And, while many of the technical details are still under wraps, when it comes to the powertrain itself, the production model’s third-generation system should exceed the pilot car’s 396 bhp and 313-mile range.  

But what about the elephant in the room? Regardless of how efficient this nascent technology is, a hydrogen-powered car is of little use if you can’t fill it up at your local petrol station or charging point. Fear not, though, BMW’s already making moves to address that issue: ‘The HyMoS (Hydrogen Mobility at Scale) initiative is designed to promote the development of hydrogen ecosystems and refueling stations in metropolitan areas and aims for an initial pilot implementation in Germany.’

Could hydrogen really be the missing piece of the puzzle as we push towards an environmentally sustainable automotive future? If you think it is, you’ll need to wait just a little longer to find out what sort of premium BMW is going to charge for the iX5 in H2 guise — and, of course, if it’s destined for UK showrooms. 

Let us know if you would drive a hydrogen powered car in Britain, or if you’d rather stick with a BEV instead.

Hero image credit: BMW