BMW Group has announced that the new iX5 Hydrogen has entered its next development phase, combining comprehensive road testing with prototype assembly of its third-generation hydrogen fuel-cell system in Munich.
The announcement is part of BMW’s route towards series production of the iX5 Hydrogen. The manufacturer has previously said that the model is scheduled to enter the market from 2028. The latest update concerns development, validation and manufacturing preparation, rather than the start of customer-series production.
Current iX5 Hydrogen prototypes are undertaking a comprehensive road-testing programme. At the same time, BMW is beginning a new prototype-assembly phase at its Hydrogen Competence Centre in Munich for the third-generation fuel-cell system developed jointly with Toyota Motor Corporation.
BMW said the work is intended to validate the complete vehicle system, refine testing methods and prepare manufacturing processes for industrialisation. The company describes the iX5 Hydrogen as its first planned hydrogen-powered production vehicle.
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Production preparation is also taking place beyond Munich. BMW Group Plant Steyr in Austria is being prepared for future series production of the fuel-cell system, while additional fuel-cell-system components are being made at BMW Group Plant Landshut in Germany. BMW said its Munich and Steyr operations are sharing knowledge from prototype construction as the manufacturing process is developed.
Fuel-cell vehicles use hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity for an electric motor, with water as the direct vehicle by-product. BMW positions hydrogen as a complement to battery-electric vehicles, particularly for applications requiring range and operational flexibility.
BMW’s 2025 announcement on the next X5 range said it would offer battery-electric, plug-in-hybrid, petrol, diesel and hydrogen fuel-cell options, depending on market. The latest announcement focuses specifically on the hydrogen variant and the production system intended to support it.
The iX5 Hydrogen has not entered customer production. Its stated timetable remains a market introduction from 2028, following the current testing and industrial-preparation stages.
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