When BMW first unveiled the X5 in 1999, it was more than just another premium SUV. It marked the Bavarian brand’s bold leap into a segment it once seemed reluctant to touch. Fast forward to 2025, and the story has come full circle. The new BMW iX5 Hydrogen is here – not as a concept, not as a limited pilot, but as the world’s first hydrogen-powered BMW series production model. And in many ways, it represents a pivotal moment for both the brand and the future of sustainable mobility.
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The Power of Choice: A Drivetrain for Everyone
With the launch of the new X5 range, BMW is doing something no rival has dared attempt. For the first time, one model will be available with five drivetrain choices: gasoline, diesel (in select markets), plug-in hybrid, battery-electric, and hydrogen fuel cell.
It’s a clear reflection of BMW’s “technology-open” philosophy – a refusal to bet on a single path toward decarbonization. Joachim Post, BMW’s head of development, summed it up best in New York: “Hydrogen has an essential part to play in global decarbonization, which is why we are committed to driving the technology forward.”
This product diversity is a core part of BMW’s success, allowing the brand to meet a wide array of customer needs and preferences across the globe. Instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all solution, BMW is leveraging its flexible manufacturing and deep integration expertise to offer genuine choice. It’s a strategic gamble that sets it apart from competitors like Audi and Mercedes-Benz, who have largely focused their efforts on the BEV transition. BMW believes the road to decarbonization has multiple lanes, and hydrogen has a vital part to play.
The 2028 BMW iX5 Hydrogen
The star of this new lineup is undoubtedly the BMW iX5 Hydrogen. After a successful worldwide pilot program, this pioneering vehicle is set to enter series production, launching in 2028. This marks a significant milestone, making BMW one of the few major automakers to commit to hydrogen for passenger cars.
The Hydrogen Advantage
So why hydrogen, and why now? The case is both simple and compelling. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) have made enormous strides, but they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Hydrogen fuel cells offer quicker refueling, longer range in certain conditions, and fewer compromises in heavy-use scenarios like towing or long-distance driving.
BMW has partnered with Toyota to develop its third-generation fuel cell system. The result is a power unit that is not only more compact but also more efficient. The iX5 Hydrogen delivers the kind of smooth, silent thrust expected of an EV, but with the practicality of a refueling stop measured in minutes, not hours.
For BMW, hydrogen is the “missing piece for completing the electric mobility puzzle” in scenarios where BEVs may not be the perfect solution. Hydrogen offers the dual benefits of zero-emissions driving and quick refueling times, similar to a traditional gasoline car. Furthermore, it serves as an excellent way to store renewable energy, helping to stabilize power grids.
Michael Rath, BMW’s vice president for hydrogen vehicles, was emphatic: “The new BMW iX5 Hydrogen will be a true BMW – pioneering in its class and delivering the BMW-typical driving pleasure.”
Building the Ecosystem, Not Just the Car
BMW understands that a great hydrogen car is useless without places to refuel it. That’s why the company is actively working to expand the necessary infrastructure through its HyMoS (Hydrogen Mobility at Scale) initiative.
This isn’t just about building a few stations; it’s about creating a viable economic ecosystem. The HyMoS initiative partners with industry and institutions to pool the demand for hydrogen across all vehicle types – including passenger cars, trucks, and buses—to make refueling networks more practical and efficient. Pilot programs are already underway in Germany and France to test and refine this approach before a potential wider rollout.
By tackling both the vehicle and the infrastructure, BMW is showing it’s serious about hydrogen’s long-term potential. While the rest of the industry races down the battery-electric path, BMW is ensuring it has the technology and the strategy to thrive, no matter which way the road turns. The arrival of the five-drivetrain X5, with the iX5 Hydrogen leading the charge, is a powerful signal that the future of driving might be more diverse than we think.
A Strategic Bet on Diversity
BMW’s insistence on offering multiple drivetrain options may seem at odds with rivals like Tesla, which has gone all-in on batteries. But the German automaker has long thrived on diversity – from offering both coupes and SUVs in overlapping sizes to keeping manual gearboxes alive longer than most. The X5 lineup is now the ultimate expression of that philosophy.
Whether this strategy pays off will depend largely on how fast hydrogen infrastructure expands. Yet, in markets where charging networks remain patchy, the iX5 Hydrogen could offer a convincing alternative to pure BEVs.
Looking Ahead
BMW has spent decades positioning itself as a pioneer – sometimes cautiously, sometimes boldly. The iX5 Hydrogen is not just a new drivetrain option. It’s a statement about the future of mobility: flexible, multi-faceted, and driven by innovation rather than dogma.
In a world where automakers are often forced into binary choices – EV or bust – BMW is carving out its own lane. The iX5 Hydrogen is proof that the road to zero emissions won’t be traveled on a single path, but on many.
The arrival of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is more than a new vehicle launch. It’s a pragmatic and powerful statement. In the race to define the future of mobility, BMW is confidently telling the world that the finish line might just have room for more than one winner.
