The BMW Group has unveiled a new model called BMW X5, a vehicle that will be available in five different drivetrain technologies.
The model will be available with plug-in hybrid, battery electric, diesel, petrol, as well as hydrogen fuel cell options.
At an event in New York, BMW AG, Development, board of management member Joachim Post said: “By launching the new BMW X5 with a choice of five drive system variants, we are once again demonstrating our leading position as a technology pioneer.
“Hydrogen has an essential part to play in global decarbonisation, which is why we are committed to driving the technology forward.”
The company noted that the upcoming BMW iX5 Hydrogen, slated for release in 2028, marks the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell technology to the brand's lineup. It will become BMW’s first mass-produced vehicle powered by hydrogen.
The vehicle will be powered by a third-generation fuel cell system that BMW is developing with Toyota Motor Corporation.
Initial prototypes are currently being made at BMW Group's competence centres in Munich, Germany, and at the BMW Group Plant Steyr, Austria, with additional components being sourced from the BMW Group plant in Landshut in Germany.
The company said that hydrogen technology is known for its role as an “effective storage medium for renewable energy sources”, which can help to stabilise the energy grid and facilitate the integration of renewable sources.
It is seen as a crucial element in the broader adoption of electric mobility, particularly in scenarios where battery electric vehicles (BEVs) may not be the most suitable option.
In addition, BMW is involved in the Hydrogen Mobility at Scale (HyMoS) initiative that seeks to develop hydrogen ecosystems and establish hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in urban areas. A pilot phase with existing ecosystems is already underway in France and Germany.
Recently, the BMW Group also shared the progression towards the launch of its Neue Klasse model. The BMW iX3 is scheduled to begin series production in late October at the BMW Group's new plant in Debrecen, Hungary.
