BMW started production of the iX5 Hydrogen crossover. The automaker is building the new model at its Munich research and innovation center, with the cars set to become technology demonstrators in select markets from next spring.
Around 900 people work at the company’s research center, with employees working on up to six vehicle projects simultaneously. This is where BMW first builds each model, ensuring the product and manufacturing process are ready for full production.
33 Pictures
“Hydrogen is a versatile energy source that has a key role to play as we move towards climate neutrality,” said Frank Weber, BMW board member responsible for development. The company will use its iX5 Hydrogen test fleet to learn more about the technology, as the company believes a mix of battery and fuel cell electric vehicles is needed. Weber noted that FCEVs do not require the critical raw materials essential to battery production, such as cobalt, lithium or nickel.
The iX5 begins its life in the Spartanburg factory in the United States. In Germany, the crossover receives a new floor intended to accommodate two hydrogen tanks which are located in the central tunnel and under the rear seat. BMW installs the 12- and 400-volt electrical systems, high-performance battery, fuel cells and electric motor during the assembly phase.
Once assembled and painted, BMW subjects the crossover to “a full operational check” at its Aschheim test center. However, the iX5 has already completed an intensive testing program before production.
BMW is not alone in its hydrogen efforts. Honda announced this week that it will launch a hydrogen fuel cell plug-in electric vehicle in 2024. It will be based on the popular CR-V crossover that received a major redesign for the 2023 model year. Like BMW, Honda pays particular attention to low-volume production of the model, building it at its Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio, where it manufactures race cars, the Acura NSX and Acura’s PMC Edition models. .
If we know anything about the future, it is that it is not fixed. Automakers face new uncertainties with electric vehicles, and the lack of a robust charging infrastructure doesn’t help. However, hydrogen faces similar limitations, but that hasn’t stopped BMW, Hyundai and others from continuing to explore the viability of the technology.
BMW started production of the iX5 Hydrogen crossover. The automaker is building the new model at its Munich research and innovation center, with the cars set to become technology demonstrators in select markets from next spring.
Around 900 people work at the company’s research center, with employees working on up to six vehicle projects simultaneously. This is where BMW first builds each model, ensuring the product and manufacturing process are ready for full production.
33 Pictures
“Hydrogen is a versatile energy source that has a key role to play as we move towards climate neutrality,” said Frank Weber, BMW board member responsible for development. The company will use its iX5 Hydrogen test fleet to learn more about the technology, as the company believes a mix of battery and fuel cell electric vehicles is needed. Weber noted that FCEVs do not require the critical raw materials essential to battery production, such as cobalt, lithium or nickel.
The iX5 begins its life in the Spartanburg factory in the United States. In Germany, the crossover receives a new floor intended to accommodate two hydrogen tanks which are located in the central tunnel and under the rear seat. BMW installs the 12- and 400-volt electrical systems, high-performance battery, fuel cells and electric motor during the assembly phase.
Once assembled and painted, BMW subjects the crossover to “a full operational check” at its Aschheim test center. However, the iX5 has already completed an intensive testing program before production.
BMW is not alone in its hydrogen efforts. Honda announced this week that it will launch a hydrogen fuel cell plug-in electric vehicle in 2024. It will be based on the popular CR-V crossover that received a major redesign for the 2023 model year. Like BMW, Honda pays particular attention to low-volume production of the model, building it at its Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio, where it manufactures race cars, the Acura NSX and Acura’s PMC Edition models. .
If we know anything about the future, it is that it is not fixed. Automakers face new uncertainties with electric vehicles, and the lack of a robust charging infrastructure doesn’t help. However, hydrogen faces similar limitations, but that hasn’t stopped BMW, Hyundai and others from continuing to explore the viability of the technology.