BMW's Fascinating New Hydrogen EV
Hydrogen iX5 SUV
Source: BMW
BMW's Hydrogen NEXT Fuel Cell Technology
BMW is expanding into hydrogen technology with its new hydrogen powered iX5 SUV. The vehicle will be equipped with BMW's new i Hydrogen NEXT fuel cell technology. Based on the BMW X5, the new iX5 is essentially an EV that has been retrofitted with a fuel cell stack, electric motor and battery and a new floor to accommodate the hydrogen tanks. The tanks have a total capacity of 16 pounds. They feed the under-hood fuel cell stack paired with a rear mounted electric motor and battery. The vehicle has just entered production and a small number will be on streets around the world for more testing in 2023. BMW says it will put a much larger number into production in the second half of this decade. The iX5 is considered the precursor of future BMW hydrogen powered vehicles.
Tech Specs
The new hydrogen iXA offers both power and performance. The top speed is 118 mph. It can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in less than 7 seconds. And the range on a charge is a solid 310 miles. It is one of the results of a hydrogen collaboration between Toyota and BMW that began in 2013. Toyota is providing the fuel cells for the production version of the vehicle. There is also a small electric battery above the electric motor that provides 374-hp for a peak combined output.
Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages
The big advantage of hydrogen powered vehicles is its long range and quick fill-up time. It takes only 3 to 4 minutes to fill-up a hydrogen powered vehicle. The big disadvantage is the lack of hydrogen fill-up stations, particularly in the US. Hydrogen infrastructure is expanding a little more rapidly in Europe. BMW expect hydrogen powered vehicles to become a mainstay for them in the global market in the long term. The global luxury brand also targets being carbon neutral by 2050. For more news stories like this, Breakthrough Concept Cars 2020's
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