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The BMW iX5 Hydrogen arrives as an electric SUV with a twist: energy is stored as compressed hydrogen and converted on board into electricity by a fuel cell, so you drive an EV with instant torque, smooth power delivery, and near-silent running—then top up in minutes at a pump. BMW says the iX5 Hydrogen uses the same electric drive hardware as its battery sibling, so response and refinement feel familiar, only the “tank-to-motor” pathway is different.
Under the skin sits BMW’s latest-generation fuel-cell stack, more compact and more efficient than earlier pilots, feeding a buffer battery that handles hard acceleration and recovers energy under braking. The drivetrain keeps that EV character—crisp step-off, seamless surge, single-gear simplicity—while the hydrogen system removes the usual long-stop charging calculus. It’s a solution aimed squarely at drivers who can’t easily plug in at home or work, or who simply prefer a rapid fill and go.
BMW’s push is about breadth as much as speed. With emissions targets tightening towards the middle of the next decade, Munich is hedging with multiple electric routes: large-pack BEVs for those with dependable charging, and fuel cells for users who need the range-and-refuel rhythm of combustion without the tailpipe. A diversified supply chain is another plank—fuel-cell components draw on different materials to lithium-ion packs, adding resilience after recent global bottlenecks.
The elephant in the room is infrastructure. Hydrogen cars run like EVs and refuel like petrol models, but only where pumps exist. BMW plans to deploy the iX5 Hydrogen first in regions building out networks—think California, Japan and South Korea—while partnering with fleets to concentrate demand and give station providers confidence. Policy support remains pivotal; stations must grow in step with vehicles if the concept is to scale beyond early adopters.
Crucially, the iX5 Hydrogen is not a science fair one-off. Its fuel-cell system has been engineered to slot into other BMW models over time, creating a family of hydrogen-powered options alongside the brand’s battery-electric line-up. That means the first tank you click into an iX5 Hydrogen could be the start of a broader range: EV feel, fast refuelling, and the kind of long-haul usability that keeps mileage-hungry drivers on the move.
