BMW to launch hydrogen‑fuel‑cell iX5 with 750 km range by 2028

BMW announced that its next‑generation iX5 will be offered with a hydrogen fuel‑cell powertrain starting in 2028. The vehicle will use a new “Hydrogen Flat Storage” system that integrates seven 700‑bar tanks into the floor of the car, preserving passenger and luggage space. This configuration is expected to deliver up to 750 km of range and refuel in under five minutes, while sharing the same production line as battery‑electric and conventional models, giving the iX5 five propulsion options.

The company highlighted that the technology is ready but that wide‑scale adoption depends on expanding hydrogen refueling stations across Europe. Pilot projects in Italy and elsewhere are already testing H₂ trucks and taxi fleets, and the EU is working toward a continent‑wide hydrogen‑fuel infrastructure. BMW also noted that hydrogen prices are falling toward €10 per kilogram, making the fuel cost competitive with electric‑vehicle charging.

Production of the third‑generation fuel‑cell system will take place at BMW’s Steyr plant in Austria, with the flat‑storage tanks designed to fit the dimensions of its sixth‑generation battery packs. The move positions hydrogen as a complement to battery‑electric vehicles in BMW’s broader decarbonisation strategy.