BMW to pilot Hydrogen fuel cell-based X5 SUV in 2022
BMW has revealed the details about its hydrogen fuel cell powertrain that will be piloted in a small series based on the existing X5 SUV, sometime in 2022. This alternative powertrain technology, developed in co-operation with Toyota, will form a new sub-brand called the 'i Hydrogen NEXT'. However, for customers, a hydrogen-electric powered BMW will not be launched until 2025. Here are more details.
Understanding BMW's hydrogen fuel cell powertrain and its technology
In simple terms, a hydrogen-electric car is basically an EV; the electric motor is powered primarily by a hydrogen fuel cell instead of a battery. In the case of BMW's powertrain, the fuel cell will draw hydrogen from two 700 bar tanks and combine it with oxygen from the ambient air to create electricity which will power the electric motor at the rear axle.
The powertrain will offer a total system output of 374hp
The fuel cell powertrain for the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT will generate up to 170hp of power. However, the German automaker will combine this setup with a fifth-generation eDrive unit to provide better range and performance. The result of this hydrogen fuel cell and battery combination will provide a total system output of 374hp.
Refueling will take just 3-4 minutes
According to BMW, the i Hydrogen NEXT series will house a pair of 700 bar tanks that can together hold 6kg of hydrogen. The automaker hasn't revealed any information regarding the range but claimed a "long range regardless of the weather conditions." Moreover, refueling will be easy since the tanks can be filled up in just 3-4 minutes.
For customers, a BMW hydrogen car is still years away
According to BMW, this hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrain "will be piloted in a small series based on the current BMW X5" that will be presented in 2022. However, for customers, a BMW hydrogen-powered car will arrive "by the second half of this decade."
