Another performance test passed for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen! After the successful Winter testing in Arjeplog, one of the world’s coldest regions, the pilot fleet of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is now also underlining its suitability for everyday use even at high temperatures. The pilot fleet, which was launched in February 2023 and is powered by hydrogen, successfully completed intensive hot-weather tests in the United Arab Emirates. In this process, the vehicles were subject to many stress tests on various terrains and altitudes and under a range of driving conditions, and impressively proved the fantastic performance and readiness of the fuel cell drive system at up to 45°C. Regardless of whether it’s extreme inclines at high temperatures or changing humidity, the alternative drive of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen mastered all the challenges posed by Dubai both masterfully and effortlessly.
The focus of the heat tests in the UAE included trialling and validating the fuel cell system, central vehicle control device, both hydrogen tanks, and the power-buffer battery. The development team based in Munich also paid particular attention to the functionality of all electrical systems and the constant provision of cooling performance. The result: no vulnerabilities whatsoever. It is tests like these that ensure that characteristic BMW driving dynamics can also be experienced in the BMW iX5 Hydrogen.
The pilot fleet is being tested worldwide.
Selected target groups who have been road-testing the pilot fleet have been impressed by these BMW iX5 Hydrogen driving dynamics since the beginning of 2023. In this way, BMW Group is constantly driving forward the development of hydrogen fuel technology and underlining its approach of being open to alternative drive technologies.
“Hydrogen is a versatile energy source that has a key role to play in the energy transition process and therefore in climate protection,” says Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “After all, it is one of the most efficient ways of storing and transporting renewable energies. We should use this potential to also accelerate the transformation of the mobility sector.”
BMW Group supports infrastructure expansion.
Currently, the vehicles in the pilot fleet are being used in Europe, Japan, Korea, China, the USA and the Middle East to gain key insight for developing a potential series-production product. At the same time, at regional level, BMW Group is supporting the expansion of a filling station infrastructure featuring 700-bar fuelling technology that facilitates universal use by cars, vans, buses, and heavy commercial vehicles. Synergies between various application areas also offer an important potential for the expansion of a strong supplier network in hydrogen technology – and reduced costs.
Thanks to these wide-ranging measures, BMW Group is able to adapt varying customer needs and infrastructure standards, as well as political and regulatory frameworks in the various regions of the world. The flexibility gained in this way in turn enables BMW Group to always react quickly to changing requirements on the markets and provide as many customers as possible with a suitable offering at all times.
The BMW iX5 Hydrogen delivers the best proof of this: it is highly suited to long journeys and short refueling stops, while also featuring a locally emissions-free drive. Subject to the corresponding framework conditions, its hydrogen fuel cell technology has the potential to be another pillar in the future BMW Group drive portfolio.
