BMW is starting production of its BMW iX5 Hydrogen, which was unveiled at the 2021 Munich Motor Show and is expected to officially roll off the assembly line next spring.
Production is currently taking place at the pilot plant at the BMW Research and Innovation Center (FIZ) in Munich. Many components are produced specifically for the hydrogen-powered SAV, some of which are manufactured at the Additive Manufacturing Park (BMW 3D Printing Competence Center), which is also the site of the pilot plant. part.
The first-ever sport utility vehicle (SAV) powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology has completed an intensive testing program under harsh conditions during the development phase and will now be available as a local carbon-free vehicle in selected regions from spring 2023. Technical demonstration car for transportation. It is understood that the car can carry up to 6kg of hydrogen, generate a maximum power of 168hp, and drive an electric motor to provide a maximum combined horsepower of 374hp.
Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for the development, said: "Hydrogen is a versatile energy source that plays a key role in our progress towards climate neutrality. We are convinced that hydrogen will be significantly important for personal mobility. Improving, in the long run, a mix of battery and fuel cell electric drive systems is a sensible approach. Fuel cells also do not require any key raw materials such as cobalt, lithium, or nickel and are an extremely clean source of energy. Our BMW iX5 The Hydrogen test fleet will demonstrate attractive products to customers.
The BMW iX5 Hydrogen goes through all the usual production stages, starting in the body shop, then on to the paint shop and assembly, and finally the final inspection of each car. Following this, each vehicle undergoes a comprehensive operational check at the BMW Group's test center in Aschheim.
The BMW Group's U.S. plant in Spartanburg provides the base vehicles for hydrogen models developed on the BMW X5 platform. A new floor assembly was installed in the body shop at the pilot plant, making it possible to accommodate two hydrogen tanks under the center tunnel and rear seat unit.
Model-specific 12V and 400V electrical systems, high-performance batteries, electric motors, and fuel cells are all integrated during the assembly phase along with standard production components. Together with the high-performance battery, the electric motor is located in the area of the rear axle and is a product of BMW's fifth-generation eDrive technology, which is also used in BMW's battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid models.
The model combines all the advantages of a locally emission-free drive system with everyday usability and long-distance driving capability, making its hydrogen fuel cell technology an attractive complementary alternative to BEVs.
The Munich 3D printing factory invested by BMW with an investment of 15 million euros was officially put into operation in June 2020. Together with GKN PM's factory in Bonn, Switzerland, BMW's 2 fully automatic 3D printing car production lines have been built, which can produce 50,000 3D printing cars per year. Components.