BMW began developing a hydrogen fuel cell crossover four years ago. The project is about to enter its next critical phase with the introduction of the first iX5 Hydrogen crossovers from the company. The automaker will produce less than 100 vehicles and test them with various target groups when the fleet enters service later this year.
BMW Group sources the individual fuel cells from Toyota, producing the fuel cell stacks at its in-house hydrogen center in Munich. The two have been collaborating on fuel cell drive systems since 2013, just one facet of a partnership that has also spawned the new Supra. The automaker integrates the fuel cell system with its fifth-generation eDrive powertrain technology, which includes the electric motor, transmission, and specially developed lithium-ion battery.
