Hydrogen Cars Aren't Dead! BMW's Third-Generation System Is Coming, X5 to Feature It

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Although electric vehicles are particularly popular now, BMW has not put all its eggs in one basket. Recently, BMW officially announced that they have begun developing the third-generation hydrogen fuel cell system and plan to start mass production in 2028. This means that in the future, we may see more BMW cars using hydrogen energy!

So, what is different about the new generation of hydrogen fuel cells?

First, it is smaller but more powerful. Its size is about a quarter smaller than the previous generation, while its power has increased, resulting in a significant improvement in overall efficiency. Moreover, it is designed to be more flexible, allowing for adaptation to various future vehicle architectures, giving consumers more power options.

Although BMW has not yet announced which car will be the first to feature this system, many speculate that it might be used in new cars based on the Neue Klasse platform. Currently, BMW is testing the iX5 Hydrogen fleet with its second-generation hydrogen fuel system, with a small number of units, less than 100. At this pace, the next generation X5 (expected to be launched in 2026) is likely to use the third-generation hydrogen fuel system.

In addition, BMW has developed a dedicated energy management system for hydrogen vehicles called "BMW Energy Master." It acts like an "intelligent steward" between the battery and the vehicle system, optimizing overall efficiency and range. This system is expected to debut with the first batch of Neue Klasse models as early as the end of this year.

Although specific performance data has not yet been released, BMW has made it clear that the new generation system will be more energy-efficient and efficient, with significantly improved range and power output compared to the current system.

When it comes to hydrogen energy, many people think of Toyota. Indeed, BMW and Toyota have been collaborating in this field for over a decade. In the early stages, when BMW was testing hydrogen-powered vehicles, they almost entirely used Toyota's systems. By the second generation, BMW began designing the entire vehicle structure themselves, but the cells still came from Toyota.

The current iX5 Hydrogen test vehicle has approximately 396 horsepower and a WLTP range of about 500 kilometers. This data still lags behind mainstream electric vehicles, but its refueling speed is fast, taking only a few minutes to fill up with hydrogen, similar to the experience of refueling with gasoline.

In addition, BMW has specifically developed an energy management system for hydrogen vehicles called "BMW Energy Master." It acts like an "intelligent steward" between the battery and vehicle systems, optimizing overall efficiency and range. This system is expected to debut as early as the end of this year with the first batch of Neue Klasse models.

Although specific performance data has not been released, BMW has clearly stated that the new generation system will be more energy-efficient and effective, with significantly improved range and power output compared to the current version.

BMW's recent moves indicate that hydrogen energy vehicles have not been abandoned, but are quietly progressing. By the time they are mass-produced in 2028, we may see hydrogen-powered BMW SUVs alongside electric and fuel vehicles, forming BMW's "power family."

Do you think that after the third-generation hydrogen energy system is implemented, BMW can achieve an overtaking advantage in the new energy race?

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(This article reflects the author's personal views and does not represent the position of "SUV Daka".)