After nearly half a century of research and development, BMW has officially announced the start of mass production for its third-generation hydrogen powertrains. Production will take place at the company’s Steyr plant in Austria, with the launch set for 2028.
From Prototypes to Mass Production
For decades, BMW has tested hydrogen-powered concepts – from early 7 Series limousines running on liquid hydrogen to the limited iX5 Hydrogen SUVs with hand-built fuel-cell systems. Yet, none of these projects made it to the production line.
That changes now. Steyr is being equipped with new assembly lines and advanced tooling, while Munich remains the engineering hub where prototypes are built and validated. The new drivetrain is the first BMW hydrogen system designed specifically for large-scale production.
European Hub and Toyota Partnership
In cooperation with Toyota, which continues to supply fuel-cell stacks, BMW has developed and integrated the complete hydrogen system in-house. The two companies are also co-developing next-generation stack chemistry to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen in both passenger and commercial vehicles.
The entire drivetrain – including hydrogen storage, compressors, cooling circuits, safety systems, and electronics – is consolidated into a single module that can seamlessly fit into existing BMW platforms.
BMW’s “Technology-Open” Strategy
“The start of fuel-cell vehicle production at BMW in 2028 marks an important milestone in our technology-open approach, adding another highly efficient zero-emission drive system to our portfolio,” said Joachim Post, BMW AG Board Member for Development.
Klaus von Moltke, Senior Vice President of Engine Production, added: “We are proud that Plant Steyr will produce innovative hydrogen powertrains alongside the latest electric and combustion technologies.”
Five Decades of Innovation
BMW’s hydrogen journey began in the 1970s with a modified 5 Series running on liquid hydrogen. Over the following decades, several hydrogen-powered 7 Series prototypes were introduced, culminating in the Hydrogen 7 in 2006 with its V12 engine.
In the 2010s, BMW shifted focus to fuel-cell systems, forming a strategic partnership with Toyota. A 535i prototype built in 2014 with Toyota’s early stack paved the way for today’s iX5 Hydrogen fleet. These vehicles demonstrated the potential of hydrogen technology but also highlighted the need for scalable production. The third-generation system aims to deliver exactly that.
How a BMW Fuel-Cell Vehicle Works
A hydrogen-powered car functions as a mobile power plant: hydrogen gas, stored at 700 bar in carbon-fibre tanks, reacts with oxygen in a fuel-cell stack to produce electricity – with pure water vapor as the only emission. The generated electricity powers an electric motor, while a compact high-voltage battery handles energy recovery and load balancing. BMW’s latest system integrates the entire drivetrain – from the stack to the cooling units, sensors, pumps, compressors, and electronics – into one production-ready module.
Towards a New Era of Mobility
BMW’s “technology-open” philosophy means that combustion engines, battery-electric vehicles, and now hydrogen fuel-cell cars will coexist in the product lineup. Following the debut of the Neue Klasse EVs, the company will, in 2028, roll out its first hydrogen production vehicles from Steyr.
After fifty years of prototypes and pilot projects, BMW finally has the factory, supply chain, and timeline in place. Hydrogen BMWs are set to enter mass production.
