A new fuel cell SUV is moving closer to series production as BMW prepares to bring hydrogen mobility to its lineup
Munich, Germany, 15 September 2026 – BMW is taking another step toward making hydrogen powered mobility part of its future vehicle lineup. The automaker is currently testing prototypes of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen in Germany and France, with series production planned for 2028. The model will become BMW’s first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle produced in series.
The move comes as BMW continues to develop several powertrain options instead of relying on a single type of vehicle technology. The new X5 platform has been designed to support battery electric, plug in hybrid, conventional and hydrogen fuel cell systems. This approach allows BMW to adapt its vehicles to different customer needs and regional infrastructure.
At the center of the iX5 Hydrogen is a third generation fuel cell system being developed by BMW in collaboration with Toyota. The new system is around 25 percent more compact than the previous generation while delivering improvements in power density and efficiency. Hydrogen stored in the vehicle reacts with oxygen inside the fuel cell to generate electricity, which then powers the electric motor.
One of the biggest advantages of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is the combination of electric driving with fast refueling. BMW is targeting a range of up to 750 kilometers for the iX5 Hydrogen, although final certified figures are not yet available because the vehicle remains in development. The company is also aiming for refueling times of less than five minutes.
The vehicle’s packaging has also received considerable attention. BMW has developed a Hydrogen Flat Storage system that allows the hydrogen tanks to be positioned efficiently within the vehicle architecture. The system occupies the same package space as a next generation high voltage battery, helping preserve passenger and cargo space.
BMW is now testing the complete vehicle under demanding conditions. Prototype vehicles are being evaluated at testing locations in Germany and France, with engineers examining how the fuel cell system, electric motor, high voltage battery and other components work together. The testing covers different environmental and operating conditions as BMW prepares the technology for series production.
The company is also preparing the manufacturing side of the program. BMW’s Hydrogen Competence Centre in Munich has begun another phase of fuel cell system assembly, while its Steyr plant in Austria is preparing for future series production. The Landshut facility is also producing key components for the hydrogen powertrain, including the Energy Master control unit.
The road to the production iX5 Hydrogen has already included extensive real world testing. BMW previously operated a pilot fleet across more than 20 countries from 2023, accumulating almost one million test kilometers in different climate conditions. Those tests gave the company practical experience with hydrogen fuel cell technology and helped guide the development of the next generation system.
BMW’s hydrogen strategy is also connected to its broader technology open approach. While battery electric vehicles remain an important part of its portfolio, the company sees hydrogen as another option for customers who value long driving ranges and short refueling times. The iX5 Hydrogen therefore represents an additional path for electric mobility rather than a replacement for battery powered vehicles.
Still, the success of hydrogen mobility will depend on more than the vehicle itself. Hydrogen production, refueling infrastructure, availability and regional market conditions will all influence how widely fuel cell vehicles can be adopted. BMW’s current focus is therefore on developing the technology and preparing its production network while the wider hydrogen ecosystem continues to develop.
With series production scheduled for 2028, the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is moving from an experimental project toward a real production vehicle. Its progress also shows how automotive manufacturers are broadening their approach to electric mobility. For BMW, the next step is to bring hydrogen fuel cell technology into a familiar SUV format and make it part of a wider choice of powertrain technologies.
