Thursday, March 28, 2024

BMW Starts In-House Fuel Cell Production For iX5 Hydrogen

BMW has announced the beginning of fuel cell production at its hydrogen competence centre in Munich. The event was attended by BMW’s Chairman of the Board of Management, Oliver Zipse, and Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Development.

The iX5 Hydrogen Concept from last year, as previously announced, will enter limited production at the end of the year, both for testing and demonstration purposes. It will use a fuel cell system, which, when combined with a high-performance battery, is expected to expand BMW’s portfolio by “adding a unique type of drive system for the premium segment.”

“Hydrogen, as a versatile energy source, can help us get to climate neutrality. It will also become increasingly important in terms of personal mobility. We believe hydrogen-powered vehicles are technologically positioned to complement battery-electric vehicles and complete the electric mobility picture “stated Oliver Zipse.

In its press release, BMW provided some information about the manufacturing process. The individual fuel cells are sourced from Toyota, confirming a previous report that the two companies are collaborating to mass produce new fuel cell vehicles.

BMW claims that fuel cell systems are manufactured in two steps. Toyota’s individual fuel cells are used to build a fuel cell stack. The remaining components are then assembled to complete the fuel cell system. Both of these operations are carried out in-house at BMW Group Plant Landshut.

BMW hasn’t released any production details for the iX5 Hydrogen, but the concept had 168 horsepower (125 kilowatts). The range is still unknown at this time, but it is said to have two six-kilogram hydrogen tanks.

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