BMW iX5 Hydrogen SUV Will Enter Mass Production Next Years
Introduction
With the E65-based BMW 7 Series Hydrogen, BMW was one of the first automakers to debut a production vehicle in 2005. BMW has been working with fuel cell technology for many years. The BMW iX5 Hydrogen SUV will begin construction later this year, but only a minimal quantity will be made. The German luxury brand, however, is committed to making the technology more publicly accessible by the middle of the decade.
Collaboration With Toyota
According to the sources, the car would be collaboratively developed with Toyota, a business they already have a working relationship. BMW’s Pieter Nota told Nikkei Asia, “We cooperate on several initiatives with Toyota. It’s likely that BMW is soliciting the assistance of the Japanese manufacturer once more because of their experience creating and manufacturing hydrogen vehicles like the Mirai. BMW previously collaborated with them to make the GR Supra, which shares many components with their Z4 roadster. In fact, the two have already collaborated on a prototype hydrogen vehicle, a BMW 5-Series GT with a Toyota fuel cell stack.
Type of Vehicle
A BMW hydrogen SUV fuel cell vehicle might start being produced and sold as early as 2025, according to sales chief Pieter Nota, according to Nikkei. He said that, given the popularity of the market and their conviction that hydrogen technology is “especially applicable” to that body shape, the first of these vehicles would probably be an SUV. We’d be tempted to agree, given that hydrogen vehicles can refuel equally swiftly to their gas-powered counterparts and do not lose range with changes in temperature.
Low Volume Production
The BMW iX5 hydrogen SUV is anticipated to begin small-scale manufacturing by the end of 2022 and reach full production by the middle of the following year.Since the two firms teamed up on the Z4/Supra sports cars in 2013, they have been working on numerous projects together. As a result, the SUV will probably draw on Toyota’s expertise.With its second-generation Mirai vehicle, Toyota is one of the leading proponents of hydrogen. Due to the relationship with BMW, Toyota may release a hydrogen-powered SUV employing the iX5 technology around 2025.
BMW Hydrogen SUV Mass Production
As early as the year 2025, BMW plans to launch a hydrogen fuel-cell automobile into commercial production. According to Nikkei Asia, BMW has stated that the hydrogen-electric SUV that it co-developed with Toyota is expected to go on sale within the next three years. This will follow a limited run of the hydrogen-powered BMW X5 that the company experimented with this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
This technology is widely known, but does BMW have a Hydrogen car?
The BMW showcased the fuel cell automobile called iX5 Hydrogen concept to the public for the first time at the International Motor Show held in Germany.
What does it mean to talk about a specific type of automobile; an SUV that is powered by hydrogen fuel cells?
It acts as a fuel for fuel cell electric vehicles also known as FCEVs to provide power. They do not emit any pollutants from the tailpipe, and they are cleaner and mechanically superior to vehicles that use the traditional internal combustion engines.
Which car manufacturing joint venture do BMW and Toyota have?
The BMW Group and TMC will joint venture on core fuel-cell vehicle system that is a fuel cell stack and system, hydrogen tank, motor, and battery. This will be achieved by swapping of technology between the two firms.
What is the price for a gallon of hydrogen fuel?
Hydrogen fuel costs four times more than gasoline and when tested, it costs as much as $16 per gallon though it is much efficient than gasoline.
What do you see as the biggest challenge in scaling up the production of SUVs that use hydrogen fuel cells?
The limited demand from customers will not allow for the profitable series manufacture of fuel cell cars as long as the network of hydrogen filling stations is so thin. As long as there are very few hydrogen cars on the road, business owners will be unwilling to invest in expanding their network of hydrogen fueling stations.
Concluding Thoughts
BMW isn’t putting it on the line; it thinks the best course of action is to sell electric vehicles with batteries alongside plug-in hybrids and vehicles with only effective internal combustion engines. The automaker will therefore cover all the bases and live up to its “Power of choice” slogan by stating its commitment to hydrogen in the latest BMW hydrogen SUV.
BMW iX5 Hydrogen SUV – Photo Gallery
Jeremy Markus
Jeremy is an automotive journalist and is particularly passionate about the BMW brand. He deals with writing news and reviews for BMW, but sometimes he also writes articles about troubleshooting and car maintenance. Being an independent mechanic in Munich, Germany, he has extensive knowledge of servicing BMW cars. The knowledge he has, he shares on BMWSite. In his spare time, after he is very tired after so much work, instead of resting, he likes to drive his E39 BMW M5 with 400 horsepower, which gives him energy and a smile on his face.
