BMW has started small-scale production of its iX5 Hydrogen fuel cell SUV in Germany, paving the way for the technology to fuel tomorrow’s vehicles.

BMW says hydrogen is a versatile energy source that also has a key role to play in the move to climate neutrality

While the carmaker has clearly delineated battery electric vehicle plans – and has said that electric drivetrains are “a prerequisite for climate-neutral mobility of the future” – it’s also stated that hydrogen will be widely used in the future too.

Its new iX5 Hydrogen model will help give insights into such a future and is now in production in the pilot plant at its Munich Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ).

An unspecified number of vehicles will be produced – solely for use as technology demonstrators in selected regions from spring 2023.

Frank Weber, member of the board of management of BMW AG responsible for development, said hydrogen was a versatile energy source that also has a key role to play in the move to climate neutrality.

“We are certain that hydrogen is set to gain significantly in importance for individual mobility and therefore consider a mixture of battery and fuel cell electric drive systems to be a sensible approach in the long term,” he stated

Weber added that the use of more common materials for fuel cells compared to EV technology was a key factor to consider.

“Fuel cells don’t require any critical raw materials such as cobalt, lithium or nickel either, so by investing in this type of drive system we are also strengthening the geopolitical resilience of the BMW Group,” he stated. “Our BMW iX5 Hydrogen test fleet will allow us to gain new and valuable insights, enabling us to present customers with an attractive product range once the hydrogen economy becomes a widespread reality.”

Other factors in hydrogen’s favour include everyday usability and long-distance capabilities.

The iX5 Hydrogens are built using base vehicles supplied by BMW’s Plant Spartanburg in the USA and developed on the platform of the BMW X5. These are then fitted with a new floor assembly that can accommodate two hydrogen tanks, electrical systems, battery, electric motor and fuel cell – supplied by Toyota under the carmakers’ alliance – alongside standard production parts.

Earlier this year, BMW told Nikkei Asia that it could launch a mass-produced hydrogen car as early as 2025.