BMW previously deployed a test fleet of 100 converted units equipped with fuel cells from the fourth generation of the X5 – built in Spartanburg, USA, and internally designated as G05 – to gain practical experience with the technology and enable test drives for selected journalists. We at electrive also had the opportunity to try out such a vehicle two years ago.
Now, the company has begun testing the first prototypes of the upcoming BMW iX5 Hydrogen, which is based on the fifth generation of the X5 (internally designated as G65 at BMW). The model celebrated its world premiere at the end of June here – and at that time, BMW announced five different powertrain options for the X5: fully electric under the iX5 designation, petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid as the X5, as well as the aforementioned BMW iX5 Hydrogen with a hydrogen (H₂) fuel cell. The first four powertrain options are expected to reach the market in 2027, while the H₂ version is not scheduled until 2028.
€273 million in funding for the powertrain
This approach underscores BMW’s commitment to remaining ‘technology-open’ – a term frequently used by former CEO Oliver Zipse. The Bavarian company has also secured funding for its hydrogen efforts on multiple occasions, such as in the HyPowerDrive project (link in German), where it received €273 million from the German federal government and the Free State of Bavaria for the development and industrialisation of an innovative fuel cell electric powertrain for passenger cars, including the 2028 BMW iX5 Hydrogen.
