They’re partnering with Toyota to bring it to life
A new contender is about to join the hydrogen market as BMW confirms plans to introduce a fuel cell electric vehicle in 2028. To make this happen, it’s strengthening its collaboration with Toyota, one of the few remaining automakers still investing in hydrogen technology. While Toyota has been selling the Mirai for ten years, this will be BMW’s first hydrogen car available for purchase.
With the launch still four years away, BMW is withholding specific details but has mentioned that the hydrogen model will be a variant of an existing vehicle. This project is reportedly based on the X5. However, it’s unlikely that the hydrogen SUV will be a production version of the iX5 shown here, as this generation is already in the latter half of its lifecycle and will be replaced by the next-gen model by 2028.
Regardless of its final design, BMW promises that the vehicle will be a unique product true to the brand, rather than a rebranded Toyota. Meanwhile, Toyota is developing its own hydrogen-powered cars using the fuel cell technology it’s co-developing with BMW. It’s also worth noting that the fuel cells used in the iX5 Hydrogen come from Toyota.
The zero-emission SUV is part of a test fleet of fewer than 100 units, built in Spartanburg and modified at a pilot plant in Munich. This is where the 396-horsepower iX5 receives its pair of 700-bar hydrogen tanks made from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). These tanks hold six kilograms of hydrogen, providing a WLTP range of 313 miles. Refueling takes three to four minutes, similar to the time needed for a gasoline or diesel X5.
If BMW’s first hydrogen car is based on the next-generation X5, it will use the same CLAR platform as the gasoline, diesel, and plug-in hybrid versions. Reports suggest that BMW might also introduce a conventional EV using the same platform. The next X5 is expected to enter production in the latter half of 2026 and should include BEV versions from the start.
Set to debut next year, the Neue Klasse will be BMW’s first purpose-built electric architecture and is being designed with hydrogen fuel cell technology in mind. However, initial hydrogen models are expected to use the CLAR platform instead.
It might be surprising, but BMW has been involved in hydrogen car development since 1979. Their journey began with the 520h, which had a combustion engine modified to run on hydrogen. This approach was later used in the V-12-powered E38 and E65 sedans during the 2000s. However, BMW abandoned hydrogen internal combustion engines years ago in favor of fuel cells, which are deemed more efficient.
One major issue to consider is the lack of refueling infrastructure, which is virtually nonexistent in many parts of the world. As a result, it’s likely that the vehicle will initially be available only in regions where hydrogen refueling stations are established. While 2028 is four years away, and the infrastructure may improve by then, BMW and Toyota are actively seeking regional or local projects to advance the development of hydrogen infrastructure through collaborative efforts.
