Official: Next BMW X5 To Join Ultra-Exclusive Hydrogen Club

Next-gen X5 has a powertrain for every need

We’ve known for some time that BMW was hard at work producing a powertrain that makes use of hydrogen. It’s a technology that does away with one of the final barriers to owning a normal EV: Charging times. That’s because refueling a hydrogen car takes as little time as filling up an ICE car with gas.

BMW has now confirmed the rumor that the all-new iX5 Hydrogen will be its first series-produced hydrogen model. After years of experimenting with concepts and prototypes, this will be the real deal, and it’ll see BMW join an exceptionally small group of cars sold in the United States that make use of hydrogen.

Here’s a look at a camouflaged look at the new BMW, plus the existing hydrogen-powered models on the market it will join.

Related: BMW’s First Hydrogen Cars Are Just 3 Years Away

A True BMW

Expected to share the Neue Klasse design language shared with the recently unveiled iX3, the next-generation X5 will be a giant leap from the one on sale right now. The addition of hydrogen power means that there’ll be no less than five unique drivetrain options for the new X5, the first time this has been seen in one BMW model. Customers will be able to get the SUV with battery electric, plug-in hybrid, gasoline, hydrogen, and diesel power, although the diesel won’t be available in America.

“The new BMW iX5 Hydrogen will be a true BMW—pioneering in its class and delivering the BMW-typical driving pleasure,” says Michael Rath, Vice President Hydrogen Vehicles BMW Group.

The drive technology of the iX5 Hydrogen is based on a fuel cell system developed with Toyota, continuing the relationship between the two brands—the GR Supra already uses a BMW engine, of course. 

In the small segment of hydrogen models you can buy, the iX5 Hydrogen is expected to be the most expensive and luxurious by far, but what are your other options if you want a vehicle with this fuel source?

Related: Hydrogen Isn’t Dead – But It Isn’t Thriving, Either

Other Production Vehicles With Hydrogen Tech

Currently, the only vehicles you can buy that make use of hydrogen are the Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo, and Honda CR-V e:FCEV. They’re not exactly one and the same, however.

Toyota refers to the Mirai as a “plug-less” electric vehicle. It has a single electric motor producing 182 horsepower, but instead of charging with electricity, the driver must refuel the hydrogen tanks, yielding a range of 402 miles and efficiency of 74 MPGe combined. The Nexo is a more budget-oriented crossover, and makes 161 hp from its electric motor. With the Nexo, expect up to 380 miles when filled up and 61 MPGe combined. An all-new Nexo, expected for the 2026 model year, should improve on these figures.

Honda’s CR-V e:FCEV is different, as its 174-hp motor can be charged by plugging in (like a conventional EV or plug-in hybrid), or you have the option of filling up with hydrogen. It has a 29-mile electric range or a total range of 270 miles when using hydrogen.

Unfortunately, all these vehicles are only available in California, due to the insufficient hydrogen fueling infrastructure outside of this state. However, the presence of a hydrogen X5 could begin to change this picture. The X5 is already a hugely popular model for BMW in this country, and the older iX5 prototype we drove with hydrogen power impressed us, so the newer one will undoubtedly be even better when it arrives in 2028. Hopefully, more people around the country get to experience it.