BMW has stated that it will introduce its first mass-market hydrogen-powered vehicle in 2028 and afterwards release fuel-cell variants (FCEV) of its current models. As BMW has been testing a modified version of its popular SUV, it seems likely that the X5 will be the first vehicle to benefit from the hydrogen powerplant.
The new BMWs will use powertrains co-developed with Toyota, as part of an extension of the two companies’ collaboration. “This is a milestone in automotive history,” stated BMW chairman Oliver Zipse. “Powered by hydrogen and driven by the spirit of cooperation, it will underscore how technological progress is shaping future mobility. It will herald an era of significant demand for fuel cell electric vehicles.”
BMW may be the first automaker to offer a mass-produced FCEV if the timelines are met. Toyota’s Mirai car and the Hyundai Nexo SUV were only available in limited numbers and while Honda had been a proponent of the technology, it discontinued the Clarity FCV sedan roughly three years ago.