BMW Group’s plant in Landshut, Germany, has commenced pre-series production of the “Energy Master” control unit for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, while bringing a second production line online for the battery-electric variant used in Neue Klasse vehicles.

The “Energy Master” functions as the central controller of the high-voltage system and marks the first time the German carmaker has developed and manufactured the component entirely in-house.

In the iX5 Hydrogen, the unit is mounted on the BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage system — a flat tank arrangement compatible with the Gen6 high-voltage battery — combining energy and data flows.

It oversees power distribution to the electric machine and on-board electrical system, serving as the interface linking the fuel cell system, high-voltage battery and electric drive machines.

The battery-electric version of the “Energy Master” has been in series production at Landshut since last year, with output currently directed at the BMW iX3 and BMW i3.

The second production line will roughly double capacity for those models.

The site also manufactures the media distribution plate and fuel cell stack housing for the current iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet.

The iX5 Hydrogen is targeted for a 2028 launch with a projected range of up to 750km.

It will adopt the BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage system enabling fuel cell models to share a production line with other drivetrain variants.

The vehicle will deploy third-generation fuel cell technology developed in partnership with Toyota Motor Corporation, with fuel cell system series production set to begin in 2028 at BMW Group Plant Steyr.

Drivetrain and tank system development is being funded through the HyPowerDrive project under the Federal Ministry of Transport, within the Important Project of Common European Interest Hy2Move framework.

The federal government of Germany is contributing €191m ($221.5m), with the state of Bavaria adding €82m.

Since 2020, BMW Group has invested a high three-digit million-euro sum in expanding electromobility and related technologies at the plant in Landshut.