BMW Commences Production of Small-Series BMW iX5 Hydrogen

[Jason]

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BMW commences production of Manufacture of small-series BMW iX5 Hydrogen

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December 2, 2022

Munich. The BMW Group is commencing production of its BMW iX5 Hydrogen model. Manufacture of the small-series hydrogen-powered vehicle is taking place in the pilot plant at its Munich Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ). The first ever Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) featuring hydrogen fuel cell technology has already completed an intensive programme of testing under demanding conditions during the development phase and will now be used as a technology demonstrator for locally carbon-free mobility in selected regions from spring 2023.

“Hydrogen is a versatile energy source that has a key role to play as we progress towards climate neutrality,” says Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development. “We are certain that hydrogen is set to gain significantly in importance for individual mobility and therefore consider a mixture of battery and fuel cell electric drive systems to be a sensible approach in the long term. Fuel cells don’t require any critical raw materials such as cobalt, lithium or nickel either, so by investing in this type of drive system we are also strengthening the geopolitical resilience of the BMW Group. Our BMW iX5 Hydrogen test fleet will allow us to gain new and valuable insights, enabling us to present customers with an attractive product range once the hydrogen economy becomes a widespread reality.”

The BMW iX5 Hydrogen is being built in the BMW Group’s pilot plant at its Research and Innovation Centre in Munich. This is the interface between development and production where every new model from one of the company’s brands is made for the first time. Around 900 people work there in the body shop, assembly, model engineering, concept vehicle construction and additive manufacturing. They each work on up to six vehicle projects simultaneously and are tasked with ensuring that both the product and the manufacturing process are ready for series production. In the case of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, specialists in hydrogen technology, vehicle development and initial assembly of new models have been working closely together to integrate the cutting-edge drive and energy storage technology.

“Production of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen and the BMW-developed fuel cell systems demonstrates our supreme flexibility and unrivalled know-how in the field of small-scale manufacture,” remarks Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production. “It shows we already boast the necessary expertise for integrating hydrogen technology into the BMW iFACTORY production system as an additional type of drive.”

BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the USA supplies the base vehicles for the hydrogen model, which has been developed on the platform of the BMW X5. They are fitted with a new floor assembly in the pilot plant’s body shop that makes it possible to accommodate the two hydrogen tanks in the centre tunnel and under the rear seat unit. The model-specific 12V and 400V electrical systems, high-performance battery, electric motor and fuel cell are all integrated during the assembly stage, alongside standard production parts. Positioned in the rear axle area together with the high-performance battery, the electric motor is a product of the current, fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology also employed in battery electric and plug-in hybrid models from BMW. The fuel cell systems located under the bonnet of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen have been manufactured at BMW’s in-house competence centre for hydrogen in Garching to the north of Munich since August this year.

Numerous components are produced exclusively for the hydrogen-powered SAV, including some made at the Additive Manufacturing Campus – the BMW Group’s competence centre for 3D printing – which also forms part of the pilot plant. The BMW iX5 Hydrogen passes through all the customary stages of production, starting at the body shop then proceeding to the paint shop and assembly before ending with a final inspection of each individual vehicle. Following this, every vehicle undergoes a comprehensive operational check at the BMW Group’s test centre in Aschheim.

The BMW iX5 Hydrogen combines all the benefits of a locally emission-free drive system with outstanding everyday usability and long-distance capabilities. This makes its hydrogen fuel cell technology an attractive complementary alternative to the battery electric drive system. This is especially true for customers for whom short refuelling stops and long ranges are a must, as well as for regions still lacking an adequate charging infrastructure.

BMW Commences Production of Small-Series BMW iX5 Hydrogen

[Tejas1836]

MSRP?
Does any other state other than CA have H2 distribution?

[MadBimmeRad]

It'd be awesome to still have an ICE line-up in 30 years; albeit hydrogen fed

[AndrewC1989]

Hard for me to take hydrogen seriously after watching this. I wonder how much they've improved on the design/function in recent years.

[MadBimmeRad]

Originally Posted by AndrewC1989

Hard for me to take hydrogen seriously after watching this:

https://youtu.be/AouW9_jyZck

Surely, today's technology has advanced significantly since 2006

I remember a day where EVs had a range of 150 miles; look where they are now

[AndrewC1989]

Originally Posted by MadBimmeRad

Surely, today's technology has advanced significantly since 2006

I remember a day where EVs had a range of 150 miles; look where they are now

250? lol

[MadBimmeRad]

Originally Posted by AndrewC1989

250? lol

Funny thing is, I thought that myself

[adc]

Originally Posted by AndrewC1989

250? lol

Over 500, check out Lucid.

IMO, and I don’t want to start a political debate about it, hydrogen is a non starter for individual transportation. It is more dangerous and more complicated to store than gasoline, it requires (a lot of) electric energy and/or hydrocarbons to produce, why bother.

Perhaps it will be a niche for heavy transportation.

[AndrewC1989]

Originally Posted by adc

Over 500, check out Lucid.

Most folks I know aren't driving a lucid, lol. I'm not saying the tech doesn't exist, I'm saying what's attainable to the vast majority of people isn't all that impressive and hasn't come very far IMO.

There also isn't a good network of super chargers for non-teslas (where I live at least) so while there has been progress, it's been slow and we're still very far away from having a world where driving an EV is equally affordable and convenient as a gas car.

I can see that being an issue for hydrogen cars or any alternative fuel source as well. The tech and support network need a long time to grow before it's anything more than a gimmick to most people. Call me when there's a new fuel that gets a car 500 miles of real world range, costs $30k, and is as easy and convenient to refuel as gasoline. Until then I'll enjoy my gas and diesel cars.

This video from Rich Rebuilds highlights what I'm talking about nicely. The country isn't anywhere close to adopting an alternative fuel source.

[MadBimmeRad]

Originally Posted by adc

Over 500, check out Lucid.

IMO, and I don’t want to start a political debate about it, hydrogen is a non starter for individual transportation. It is more dangerous and more complicated to store than gasoline, it requires (a lot of) electric energy and/or hydrocarbons to produce, why bother.

Perhaps it will be a niche for heavy transportation.

As are you, I don't intend on sparking a political debate, but am genuinely interested to know how and why is hydrogen more dangerous than LPG-enabled dual-fuel cars which use similar concept of storing liquified gas

[hotrod182]

Originally Posted by MadBimmeRad

It'd be awesome to still have an ICE line-up in 30 years; albeit hydrogen fed

Yes, they can still have ICE H2 piston powered cars, but I don't see a regular engine in this car. I'm sure it is electric motor powered. As far as range, H2 Hondas and Toyotas are already EPA rated above 350 miles, with a quick fill up time.

[spuntyb]

Great. Now bring wagons back to the US! Thx

[spaceage]

Originally Posted by adc

Over 500, check out Lucid.

IMO, and I don’t want to start a political debate about it, hydrogen is a non starter for individual transportation. It is more dangerous and more complicated to store than gasoline, it requires (a lot of) electric energy and/or hydrocarbons to produce, why bother.

Perhaps it will be a niche for heavy transportation.

From the article:

"for customers for whom short refuelling stops and long ranges are a must, as well as for regions still lacking an adequate charging infrastructure."

[DRTMGRT]

Okay, so when is this old thing gonna roll out?!

[adc]

Originally Posted by MadBimmeRad

As are you, I don't intend on sparking a political debate, but am genuinely interested to know how and why is hydrogen more dangerous than LPG-enabled dual-fuel cars which use similar concept of storing liquified gas

It can ignite more easily (there's less concentration in the air needed to ignite). It is true that being lighter than air, it can also disperse faster, but this does not reassure me personally as I doubt enough real world testing was made to have reasonable certainty.

Unlike LPG which is easily stored in liquid form at reasonable pressures, hydrogen is difficult to store in liquid form due to the low temperature needed. Some stations store in liquid form, others in high-pressure-gas form. In any case storage and distribution infrastructure is more complex, with more steps needed for hydrogen to get from its storage to your car's tank (depending on how it is stored as well).

It isn't like going to a gas station and grabbing a propane tank at all.

In the car, hydrogen is stored at high pressure as a gas, which ultimately limits range. The Toyota Mirai gets about 300 miles, no better than a decent EV.

[MadBimmeRad]

Originally Posted by adc

It can ignite more easily (there's less concentration in the air needed to ignite). It is true that being lighter than air, it can also disperse faster, but this does not reassure me personally as I doubt enough real world testing was made to have reasonable certainty.

Unlike LPG which is easily stored in liquid form at reasonable pressures, hydrogen is difficult to store in liquid form due to the low temperature needed. Some stations store in liquid form, others in high-pressure-gas form. In any case storage and distribution infrastructure is more complex, with more steps needed for hydrogen to get from its storage to your car's tank (depending on how it is stored as well).

It isn't like going to a gas station and grabbing a propane tank at all.

In the car, hydrogen is stored at high pressure as a gas, which ultimately limits range. The Toyota Mirai gets about 300 miles, no better than a decent EV.

Thank you for explaining that for me; rather interesting to see what future brings in the way of improvements

[hotrod182]

Originally Posted by adc

It can ignite more easily (there's less concentration in the air needed to ignite). It is true that being lighter than air, it can also disperse faster, but this does not reassure me personally as I doubt enough real world testing was made to have reasonable certainty.

Unlike LPG which is easily stored in liquid form at reasonable pressures, hydrogen is difficult to store in liquid form due to the low temperature needed. Some stations store in liquid form, others in high-pressure-gas form. In any case storage and distribution infrastructure is more complex, with more steps needed for hydrogen to get from its storage to your car's tank (depending on how it is stored as well).

It isn't like going to a gas station and grabbing a propane tank at all.

In the car, hydrogen is stored at high pressure as a gas, which ultimately limits range. The Toyota Mirai gets about 300 miles, no better than a decent EV.

The Mirai has an EPA rating of up to 402 miles.
It can fill up within a few minutes. A 402 mile EV is comparatively slow in replenishing those same 400miles.
Hydrogen becomes viable only if we have an excess in solar energy to produce it. Forming it from natural gas does not seem like an environmentally friendly solution.

[adc]

Originally Posted by spaceage

From the article:

"for customers for whom short refuelling stops and long ranges are a must, as well as for regions still lacking an adequate charging infrastructure."

Hydrogen refueling infrastructure is even less advanced that for EVs, by orders of magnitude. It would take many more decades of concerted efforts to build a true hydrogen infrastructure.

Originally Posted by AndrewC1989

Most folks I know aren't driving a lucid, lol. I'm not saying the tech doesn't exist, I'm saying what's attainable to the vast majority of people isn't all that impressive and hasn't come very far IMO.

There also isn't a good network of super chargers for non-teslas (where I live at least) so while there has been progress, it's been slow and we're still very far away from having a world where driving an EV is equally affordable and convenient as a gas car.

I can see that being an issue for hydrogen cars or any alternative fuel source as well. The tech and support network need a long time to grow before it's anything more than a gimmick to most people. Call me when there's a new fuel that gets a car 500 miles of real world range, costs $30k, and is as easy and convenient to refuel as gasoline. Until then I'll enjoy my gas and diesel cars.

The country isn't anywhere close to adopting an alternative fuel source.

It took decades for gasoline powered cars to be convenient to use. Compared to that glacial progress, EVs are advancing at a much faster rate.

The average range of cars in the US is about 400 miles. The average price of a new car in the US these days is over $45k. The price and range will soon converge with EVs.

My next family car for instance, will be electric. And most likely not a BMW. I understand, not everyone's circumstance is identical, adoption will likely vary by geographical area and various other demographic factors.

If you are looking to find fault, you will find it in anything. But in a couple of years, everyone should seriously consider EV ownership as most of the inconvenience factors will be greatly reduced.

All IMO of course.

[adc]

Originally Posted by hotrod182

The Mirai has an EPA rating of up to 402 miles.
It can fill up within a few minutes. A 402 mile EV is comparatively slow in replenishing those same 400miles.
Hydrogen becomes viable only if we have an excess in solar energy to produce it. Forming it from natural gas does not seem like an environmentally friendly solution.

You cannot fill it up in 5 minutes. You can only fill it up if you have a filling station nearby. The closest one to me is in Quebec.

Edit: To say the Mirai is an irrelevance would be greatly understating it.

[Zulu Saffa]

While I have the chemical engineering knowledge of an ostrich, I really like the concept of this. Plus, if Chris Harris like it, it must be gold:

[jad03060]

Legislation passed this year will require CCS stations, at least four units every 50-miles, along the US interstates, but they have 2-3 years to achieve that density.

There have been numerous advances in the catalysts that speed up the production of hydrogen, and it is fairly easy to transport as ammonia (NH3) as a liquid, and catalysts to strip the hydrogen out are becoming more evolved. There are plans to utilize excess solar, wind, hydrothermal, and potentially current power production as hydrogen. Some of those work quite well into the night when the power load tends to be lowest and otherwise, they disable or disconnect from the network - might as well use it for something. There's a prototype solar mirror installation that, with the high temperatures involved, is much more efficient producing hydrogen. IOW, there has been some significant advancements even this year, so old news may not be very representative of today's realities.

Fuel cells tend to be sized smaller than the peak output needed for maximum performance, so there is usually some battery capacity onboard to allow for larger peak current capabilities. FWIW, hydrogen can work well when added to NG pipelines to extend their capacity with less greenhouse gas emissions, so there's ways to use it, if it ever became plentiful. IT is the most plentiful element in the universe, and when used it becomes water, so is recoverable as opposed to burning fossil fuels that at least today, isn't as easy to reformulate back into a fossil fuel.

[MadBimmeRad]

Originally Posted by Zulu Saffa

While I have the chemical engineering knowledge of an ostrich, I really like the concept of this. Plus, if Chris Harris like it, it must be gold:

https://youtu.be/bOUjXNheBZA

Hey, don't sell yourself short, the only chemical engineering emus know is how to shit while running fast 🤣🤣

(Emu = Australian for ostrich)