BMW’s Hydrogen X5 Could Fix Two Big Problems With EVsAutoblogShreyash Kumar SinghWed, September 16, 2026 at 4:30 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleAutoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.BMW isn't ready to let battery power have all the fun. With the iX5 Hydrogen, the German automaker is now testing its prototype in real-world conditions to validate how its fuel-cell powertrain handles environmental challenges and high-load conditions. The iX5 Hydrogen is being developed as the performance-oriented alternative, and BMW says it could deliver acceleration on par with its upcoming all-electric sibling.iX5 Hydrogen Wants To Hit 62 MPH In Under 5 SecondsBMW GroupView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementBMW wants its first-ever Hydrogen vehicle to be seriously quick, as the automaker has confirmed that it is targeting a 0 to 62 mph sprint in less than 5 seconds. For context, the upcoming all-electric BMW iX5 can go from nought to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds, attaining a top speed of up to 130 mph. It's also interesting to note that earlier prototypes of the iX5 Hydrogen claimed to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 6 seconds, meaning BMW is making a notable step up in performance for the series production vehicle.The iX5 Hydrogen makes use of a third-generation fuel-cell system which is jointly developed by BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation. It's not only more powerful and efficient, but 25 percent more compact when compared to its previous iteration. BMW has claimed that the iX5 Hydrogen will offer a WLTP-claimed range of up to 466 miles. The iX5 Hydrogen will come with BMW's xDrive (all-wheel drive) system, along with the M Sport package.Refueling Takes Less Than 5 MinutesBMW GroupBMW has equipped the iX5 Hydrogen with a flat tank system positioned beneath the floor to ensure the cabin retains its usable space. The system consists of seven high-pressure fuel tanks made up of reinforced carbon fiber, connected in parallel and enclosed in a metal frame for added safety. In simpler terms, multiple chambers have been combined into a single enclosed unit, controlled via a main central valve. These tanks can hold up to 15.4 pounds of hydrogen, and as claimed by BMW, refueling takes less than 5 minutes.BMW Is Testing More Than Just Hydrogen PowerBMW GroupBMW is currently testing the iX5 Hydrogen prototype to examine the driving dynamics and performance under varied driving conditions. The automaker is also evaluating how all the drive components, like the fuel cell system, high-voltage battery, electric motor, hydrogen tanks, and the overall system control unit, are interacting. The goal is to ensure that every component performs as intended and that the entire system responds reliably in all conditions.AdvertisementAdvertisementTalking about the fuel cell system, series manufacturing will take place at BMW Group Plant Steyr. Meanwhile, the next prototype assembly phase is getting underway at the Hydrogen Competence Centre in Munich. BMW is primarily focusing on testing its methodology for the industrialization of the fuel cell technology.Launch TimelineIt will all start with the launch of the fifth-generation BMW X5 40 xDrive in October, followed by the introduction of rear-wheel drive, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric iX5 in the first quarter of 2027. A more powerful V8-powered version of the SUV will also make its market debut later next year, and BMW's first-ever series hydrogen vehicle, the iX5 Hydrogen, is expected to make its debut later in 2028.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.