BMW X5 Hydrogen version testing will start in 2022

KUALA LUMPUR: The German automaker, BMW, looks very hopeful for hydrogen fuel vehicles for many years. In the mid-2000s, the firm had made a trial of the fuel cell BMW 7 Series. And now it intends to roll out an alternatively powered BMW X5. The i Hydrogen Next concept based on X5 has already been previewed at the Frankfurt Motor Show last September. Recently, the automaker shared a few details of the upcoming model.

The hydrogen-electric BMW X5 features a fuel cell that will sit up front and get hydrogen from two 700-bar tanks, one located in the transmission tunnel and the other located under the rear seat. Each tank holds six kgs of hydrogen that can be refilled in 3-4 minutes. The fuel cell combines the hydrogen with oxygen from the ambient air to produce electricity that will power the electric motor at the rear axle. The generated electricity will also charge a small battery, which can be used to power the motor at the time of high-load situations. Speaking of the mechanical numbers, the total system output will be 369 hp while the fuel cell individually produces almost 167 hp.

The firm plans to start the pilot program of hydrogen-fuelled BMW X5 in 2022. However, it stressed the fact that there is still some way to produce a customer-ready hydrogen-powered vehicle, which may come by the end of this decade at the earliest. The Japanese automaker, Toyota is also involved in the hydrogen project with BMW. The two companies collaborate to produce fuel cell powertrain systems on a large scale.

Hydrogen as a fuel source has not made a noticeable impact on the industry till now. However, it could be a viable alternative power source, provided the customers have access to adequate charging at home.

Also read: BMW confirms EV in next-generation 7 Series lineup