BMW iX5 Hydrogen had been presented for the first time as a concept at the IAA Motor Show in 2019 and the first examples at the prototype level had demonstrated their potential at the IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich as shuttle vehicles for visitors. Now this high-tech car, which combines the state of the art of BMW’s electric models (the eDrive has reached its fifth generation) with the advanced technology of hydrogen fuel cells, is moving on to a subsequent phase of experimentation, very close to series production.
In Antwerp, Belgium, the Monaco House presented the latest development of the iX5 Hydrogen which will be supplied in a fleet of around one hundred units internationally for demonstration and test purposes for various target groups, as a concrete demonstration of the validity of the electric propulsion – fuel cell and the enormous opportunities that hydrogen can offer, already today, in the energy transition. “One technology alone will not be enough to enable climate-neutral mobility worldwide – said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG – and hydrogen is the missing piece of the puzzle when it comes to emission-free mobility. ”. “We should also exploit this potential to accelerate the transformation of the mobility sector – he reiterated – Hydrogen is a versatile energy source that has a key role to play in the energy transition process and therefore in climate protection.
After all, it’s one of the most efficient ways to store and transport renewable energy.” The BMW Group’s technological expertise places the company in a leadership position in this area. The production of the highly efficient fuel cell systems is concentrated in its in-house hydrogen competence center in Munich and purchases the individual fuel cells from the Toyota Motor Corporation, with which BMW has been cooperating in the field of fuel cell drive systems since 2013. In particular, the iX5 Hydrogen – which Ansa had the opportunity to drive as a preview on the roads of Belgium – is built in the Group’s pilot plant at the Research and Innovation Center (FIZ) in Munich, which is the interface between development and production and in which each new model is built in pre-series.
An assembly process, that of iX5 Hydrogen, which for the moment requires great attention despite the fact that the various technologies – such as precisely that of fuel cells – are widely tested. The hydrogen-powered system (carried in the car under high pressure) generates a high continuous power of 125 kW (170 hp) thanks to the chemical reaction between the hydrogen gas and the oxygen in the air that takes place in the fuel cell. Maintaining a constant supply of both elements to the fuel cell membrane is critical to system efficiency. The hydrogen needed to power the fuel cell is stored in two 700 bar tanks – made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) – which together hold nearly 6 kg of hydrogen.
However, the presence of these containers does not affect the internal layout or the trunk because they are located in correspondence with the central tunnel and under the rear seats. The fuel cell element, with all the electronic control and management devices, occupies the place of the Ice propulsion unit in the engine compartment while the electric motor is located at the rear of the train (the car has rear-wheel drive only) together with a power battery lithium-ion battery specially developed for this vehicle. The electric powertrain delivers a maximum power of 401 hp.
During deceleration and braking, the engine also acts as a generator, returning energy to a power battery. Driving and comfort are perfectly superimposable to those of an electric car, with absolute fluidity, blistering acceleration (0-100 in less than 6 seconds) and the possibility of driving forgetting the brake pedal with the one-pedal setting with maximum regenerative recovery: The maximum speed is self-limited to 180 km/h, more than enough for any need.
What revolutionises the travel experience instead is refueling and autonomy. In fact, hydrogen allows you to fill up at the distributor in 4-5 minutes, in total safety and with procedures that are simpler than those of gas-powered cars. Filled with its 6 kg, the BMW iX5 Hydrogen offers a range of 504 km in the Wltp cycle compared to a Wltp approved consumption of 1.19 kg/100 km. At the end of our test, the on-board indicator showed a real (more than interesting) consumption of 1.4 kg/100 km which, at the Antwerp pump price of 10 euro/kg, translates into a cost of 60 euros for the full tank with which to travel 428 effective km.
For the moment, the hydrogen solution is not competitive with diesel – which remains the goal above all for heavy vehicles – but, as was indicated during the event, the goal of a cost of 5 euros per kg is not far off and the new technologies could allow it to drop even to 2.5.
Source: Ansa
I am an author at Global happenings and I mostly cover automobile news. In my time working in the automotive industry, I have developed a keen interest in the latest developments and trends. My writing skills have also allowed me to share my knowledge with others through articles and blog posts.
