Technology applied to the iX5 prototype allows a range of 750 km and preserves interior comfort; serial production is scheduled for 2028
The BMW Group has unveiled a technological evolution in fuel storage that promises to give more capacity to hydrogen in the automotive sector. This is because the BMW iX5 Hydrogen prototype received a flat tank system capable of raising its range to 750 kilometers (WLTP), eliminating one of the main obstacles of the technology: the loss of interior space compared to combustion or purely electric models.
The solution, called “Hydrogen Flat Storage”, is physically integrated into the space previously occupied by the brand’s sixth-generation high-voltage battery. The system uses seven high-pressure tanks (700 bar) made of carbon fiber composite. Connected as a single unit, they hold about seven kilograms of hydrogen. The major operational advantage remains the refuelling time: the set can be completed in less than five minutes.
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In addition to volumetric efficiency, the new arrangement benefits passive safety, as the tanks are installed between the axles, protected by the chassis structure. From an industrial point of view, the innovation reduces production complexity, allowing fuel cell vehicles to be assembled on the same line as hybrid or combustion versions, giving flexibility to the Spartanburg plant and other global sites.
The powertrain combines a third-generation fuel cell with dynamic control systems that preserve the typical performance of the Bavarian manufacturer. The initiative reinforces the “technological openness” advocated by BMW to reduce dependence on exclusive electrification infrastructures. The first models with this technology are expected to hit the market in 2028.
