This new German electric car wants to turn to hydrogen: Why is this a bad idea

It is expected for 2026, the next generation of BMW IX5 will develop in depth. This large electric car should also be rejected in an unprecedented version with a hydrogen engine.

BMW is one of the manufacturers who already have a relatively supplied number of electric cars. And it’s a somewhat good thing because we remember that the European Union prohibits the sale of new thermal vehicles from 1er January 2035. The German brand is therefore quite timely.

New alternative

Today, the manufacturer almost offers an electric car in each segment, from I4 to IX via IX1 and a large i7 sedan. In short, there is something for everyone. And the company obviously wants to continue its electric offensive. This is confirmed by the British website Coachwho explains that BMW goes Start a new generation of your SUV star in 2026X5.

The latter will have the name IX5 and will be the first of six new models running in the next three years to focus on Complete electrification of the range. However, it will still be sold in parallel with the thermal version with gasoline, diesel variants and rechargeable hybrid.

Information is still thin, but we know that the electric SUV will not be based on the Neue Klasse platform that the next IX3 will not be at the end of 2025, but rather on the deep update of the BMW IX or I4 platform. So it should benefit from the 800 volts architecture, enough to reduce charging times to approximately 20 minutes and benefit from the ultra -effective version signed by M.

Above all, it will have the right to an amazing version operating in hydrogen. But it should not see daylight because it would only happen During the year 2028. This variation will be equipped with a group of motorcycles developed in cooperation with Toyota.

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At the moment, however, no further information has been revealed on the technical sheet of this version. However, we know that this engine is far from perfect and above all it is not really ideal for the environment. We can evoke The risk of leakage during stocksAlthough we know that hydrogen remains polluted, especially in production.

Nor Remember that the yield is a very low electric car with a fuel cell, especially compared to the “classic” battery electricity. In other words, a hydrogen car can drive three times less than an electric car with the same amount of energy available.

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Finally, Green hydrogen is very expensive to produce And storage is still a problem, again because of the high costs. In short, many obstacles stand in the face of the development of this alternative.

It’s not a novelty

One thing is for sure, the idea of ​​producing a version with the ix5 fuel cell today is not for BMW. In fact, already in August 2022, the manufacturer has already confirmed the arrival of hydrogen SUV, whose production in a large series was initially started during 2025 – the project seems to have been a bit delayed. In 2023 the pilot pilot of hundreds of hydrogen IX5 appeared.

According to the head of the company this engine would be particularly suitable for SUVsthat offer space for placing the tank and battery. Despite many disadvantages, especially at the ecological level. However, the next generation of SUVs will also have the right to choose from Several electric alternatives : Hybrid, recharge hybrid and 100 % electric battery.

On the style of the style, this next generation should be entitled to two original lights Cross -shapedAnd it will occupy certain elements of neue class concepts. The lines should be smoother, especially to reduce the CX (campaign coefficient). In the coming months, however, we will probably know more.


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