Technology-open approach meets the art of engineering: the new hydrogen tank in the BMW iX5 Hydrogen. – AutoMart Canada

Munich. The BMW Group is adopting a new and
innovative hydrogen tank technology for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen. The new
arrangement and size of the tanks enables a higher range of up to 750
km (up to 385 miles)*. The new BMW Hydrogen Flat
Storage system offers the added advantage of making
exceptionally efficient use of the space it occupies in the vehicle
and is compatible with the Gen6 high-voltage battery, meaning that no
room is lost inside the cabin. Models with fuel cell technology can
therefore be built on the same production line as those with other
drive system types. The 700 bar high-pressure hydrogen tanks
additionally benefit from the mechanical protection provided by the
vehicle structure, further increasing safety.

“Our new storage concept allows us to fit the hydrogen drive system
into the new X5 precisely and in a way that saves space,” says
Dr Joachim Post, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG
responsible for Development. “Think of it as installation
Tetris: every customer gets the drive system best suited to their
needs and a true BMW X5 with no compromises. This is technology
openness and the art of engineering just the way we developers love them!”

Smart storage, more range.

The new flat tank system consists of seven high-pressure tanks
made of carbon-fibre reinforced composite, which are connected with
one another in parallel and integrated into a robust metal frame. What
makes the design special is that, instead of individual pressure
vessels, there are several chambers connected to form an enclosed
unit. This unit is controlled by a central main valve. In this way,
the optimised storage concept enables the BMW iX5 Hydrogen to achieve
a greater range. This development alone accounts for several patent
applications filed by the BMW Group. The system is able to store at
least seven kilograms of hydrogen in total and can be filled from
empty in under five minutes. As is customary for BMW hydrogen models,
refuelling is safe, clean and fast. 

Experience hallmark BMW driving pleasure, refuel faster, drive further.

The BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage technology forms part of the
powertrain. It combines with the fuel cell system and an innovative
high-voltage battery to deliver the driving pleasure for which BMW is
renowned. Here, the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen also benefits from the new
Heart of Joy drivetrain and chassis control software, as well as BMW
Dynamic Performance Control. It is also equipped with
latest-generation Gen3 fuel cell technology, which is more efficient
and powerful than any preceding generation. 

Flexible production to meet customer requirements. 

Thanks to the smart and highly flexible architecture of the new
BMW X5, five different drive system variants of the model can be built
to suit customer requirements: from battery-electric systems and
plug-in hybrids through highly efficient conventional drive systems to
hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Synergies in production are
optimised. Uniform geometrical specifications for energy storage
systems and drive components reduce technical complexity and lower
production costs. At the same time, the flexible platform increases
manufacturing robustness, facilitates the integration of new
technologies and maximises scalability. It paves the way for
widespread introduction of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen into the BMW Group’s
production network in 2028.

BMW Hydrogen strategy 

A technology-open approach and a diverse product portfolio
continue to be key success factors for the BMW Group. By integrating
fuel cell technology into the new BMW X5 series, the company is
strategically expanding its production line-up and making the
advantages of hydrogen available to its customers. Hydrogen enables
electric driving with a long range and fast refuelling, diversifies
energy sources and reduces dependence on a single infrastructure or
chain of raw materials.

Through the “HyPowerDrive” project the development of
the powertrain and the tank system of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is funded
by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) within the framework of
the IPCEI Hy2Move. The federal government is providing funding of
EUR 191 million. In addition, the project is (co-)financed by the
state of Bavaria with a total of EUR 82 million. The funding is
implemented by the Project Management Jülich (PtJ) and coordinated
by NOW GmbH.