BMW Australia to shine a spotlight on hydrogen technology with local showcase of BMW iX5 Hydrogen vehicles

2 July 2024

BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet vehicles touch down in Australia as part of global program
Program highlights benefits of hydrogen-powered vehicles for everyday usability
Test vehicles incorporate a fuel cell system and highly integrated drive unit
Total system output of 295kW and driving range of 504km (WLTP)
Hydrogen stored in 700-bar tanks made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP)
Can be fully refuelled in three to four minutes
Events bolstered by presence of Dr. Juergen Guldner, General Project Manager Hydrogen Technology and Vehicle Projects, BMW Group

BMW Australia has taken delivery of two BMW iX5 Hydrogen FCEVs (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles) for local testing and events to underline the everyday usability of hydrogen-powered transport.

The vehicles, built as part of a pilot series but which are fully functional and have already covered thousands of kilometres, have previously taken part in events and drive programs in Europe, Japan, Korea, China, the USA, Middle East and South Africa.

As part of the showcase, BMW Australia has welcomed Dr. Juergen Guldner, General Project Manager Hydrogen Technology and Vehicle Projects for BMW Group, to provide expert insights for various stakeholders on the vehicle development and hydrogen’s role in future mobility.

The global test program has been designed to gain important information and knowledge for the development of a potential series-produced FCEV model.

The BMW Group is using the pilot fleet to provide support on a regional level for the development of infrastructure that can be used with 700-bar refuelling technology across all categories of vehicle, from passenger cars and small vans to buses and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

Synergies between different areas of application also offer important scope for developing a strong network of suppliers in hydrogen technology and reducing costs.

Deployment of the pilot vehicles enables select test groups who have not been involved in the development process to get behind the wheel of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen and gain a direct impression of its attributes.

Developed based on the BMW X5 and manufactured at the pilot plant of the BMW Group’s Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ) in Munich, the iX5 Hydrogen combines locally emission-free driving pleasure with a long range and markedly short refuelling stops.

Its highly integrated drive unit – which features the latest, fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology – draws its energy from a high-performance battery that was specially developed for the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

A chemical reaction takes place in the fuel cell system between the hydrogen and oxygen from the air, through which the electric power for the electric motor is generated.

The fuel-cell system and high-performance battery combine to generate maximum output of 295kW. Two tanks made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) together hold six kilograms of gaseous hydrogen and can be filled in three to four minutes.

The BMW iX5 Hydrogen achieves a range of 504 kilometres on the WLTP cycle without having to refuel.

Arrival of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen text vehicles comes at a time when the Australian Government continues to make efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions, including in the transport sector, as part of its long-term climate protection goals.

Next year will see introduction of the first-ever New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which will set emissions targets for new vehicles sold in Australia.

Dr. Guldner said the Australian leg of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen global tour would enable the BMW Group to gain further knowledge and data as part of its fact finding and feasibility study.

“Australia is a key focus for our program, firstly because of the important steps the country is taking in decarbonising the vehicle fleet,” Dr. Guldner said.

“However, the country is also an interesting study due to its varied driving conditions and the long distances covered between towns and cities. With the appropriate infrastructure, an FCEV would make a strong mobility case due to its range capability and short refuelling time.

“We look forward to putting the iX5 Hydrogen on the road across the country and showcasing the technology – and its many practical benefits – to different groups.

“Everything we learn will be directly beneficial to our consideration of the role an FCEV might play in our future product line-up.”

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resources management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.