[VIDEO] BMW iX5 Hydrogen vs battery-powered EV

In this video, you can see a full review of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen. But before getting behind the wheel of this one-of-a-kind prototype, the hosts had to travel around the world to the BMW test centre in Arjeplog, Sweden. The hosts spoke to Robert Halas, project manager for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, and Dr Juergen Guldner, head of all hydrogen operations and hydrogen vehicle projects at BMW, to learn more about the company’s fuel cell electric vehicles. Before setting off on sub-zero drive-in temperatures, the two engineers go through all the technical specifications of the hydrogen-powered BMW iX5.

This is BMW’s second attempt to develop a fuel cell electric car. As part of another partnership with Toyota, the brand unveiled the first model in 2015 in a prototype 5 Series Gran Turismo. The hosts had the opportunity to test the FCEV prototype at Miramas, BMW’s test site in southern France. Also developed with Toyota, the iX5 FCEV keeps BMW’s fuel cell programme alive. The Bavarians believe that Hydrogen may be a beneficial technology for long-distance vehicles. Above all, the idea is that hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles can extend the brand’s range in areas where regular electric cars struggle.

BMW uses much of the technology from the current BMW iX3 or iX for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen. Both of which use BMW’s fifth-generation eDrive electric motor technology. The BMW iX5 has an output of around 125 kW/170 hp. However, the car can use the energy stored in a power buffer battery for short peak accelerations and delivers up to 275 kW/374 hp. According to BMW experts, it takes three to four minutes to fill the hydrogen tanks, which should be enough for a range of 300 miles (500 km).

Next week, the second part of the test report on the BMW iX will be published. The hosts will take you to an ice lake where they were able to drive the iX5 Hydrogen.