How Much It Would Cost To Refill A Hydrogen-powered BMW iX5

BMW is one of the industry’s early adopters of hydrogen fuel-cell and combustion technology, with its department dating as far back as 2004. The Bavarian brand has a bit of a

love-hate relationship with the fuel source
, as it is a very expensive element to work with in terms of development and production. In recent years, BMW has shown much more of an invested interest in hydrogen technology, with the iX5 being one of the first production ready examples that you can consider today. Granted, it isn’t available to purchase in the U.S., but the brand will consider an official market introduction once its testing concludes. A finite number of units has been handed out to testers and the media for the sake of gathering feedback and data.

Once the iX5 becomes market-ready for the U.S., you’ll need to know how much you can expect to spend on hydrogen every time you need to refuel it. Those not familiar with hydrogen may not be aware of the fact that it is a substantially more expensive fuel source for several reasons. The chemical requires a very technical production process and is extremely challenging to store and distribute. This is the reason why most brands focus more on full electrification. Hydrogen is set to become substantially more expensive in years to come, further limiting its viability as an alternative fuel source, but brands like BMW remain committed to evolving the industry into a component one.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from BMW’s websites and other authoritative sources, including Car and Driver, Statista, the AFDC, and the EPA.

The BMW iX5’s 401-Horsepower Hydrogen Powertrain

Before getting into how much it costs to refuel the BMW iX5 hydrogen fuel-cell SUV, we need to know a bit about its mechanical components. The model is technically a concept based on the

previous-generation X5
, that the brand revealed at the 2019 IAA, but has since been repurposed into a marketing and testing unit for public roads last year. It features a pair of

Toyota-sourced hydrogen fuel cells
that store up to six kilograms.

A single rear-mounted electric motor drives the wheels with an impressive 401 horsepower and 524 pound-feet of torque, affording it an impressive 6.0-second 0-60 MPH acceleration time and a limited 115 MPH top speed. According to the European WLTP fuel testing standard, it will cover 313 miles on a single tank.

BMW iX5 Hydrogen Technical Specifications

The WLPT is a much more conservative testing standard compared to the EPA, so it will achieve a much lower range in real world conditions. BMW explains that the iX5 is a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle that works similar to a

conventional battery-electric vehicle
. Instead of electricity, it uses hydrogen that is stored in tanks and then converted into electrical energy for the drive unit via the fuel cell. This means that a hydrogen vehicle has the benefit of being completely refueled in just three to four minutes, much like a combustion engine vehicle, but with all the benefits of electromobility.

The iX5 Will Cost $216 To Fill As Per The Current Rates

The cost of hydrogen in North America ranges around $11 per kilogram at smaller production scales, with experts projecting that this will decline to $8 per kilogram as station capacities increase. In California however, which is currently the only region in the U.S. that has FCEV refueling stations, the element costs as much as $36 per kilogram.

Based on this, it will cost you a whopping $216 to refuel the iX5, and, considering that it will only cover you for less than 300 miles, this will make it one of the most expensive cars to run today; should it come up for sale. This pricing is a known issue in the industry that private and government industries are working hard to resolve. Through investments, policies, and advancements in the field, there’s a unified goal to get this price down to $1 per kilogram by the end of the decade, which would make the concept a much more viable option for daily drivers.

Hydrogen fuel’s production process primarily relies on natural gas through steam methane reforming or electrolysis, which is an energy-intensive procedure. Infrastructure also remains limited, with few hydrogen fueling stations currently operational in California. Both of these problems lead to higher transportation and distribution costs. Hydrogen storage and delivery consists of high-pressure tanks and many more in-depth safety measures because of how explosive the gas is.

Government subsidies
and investments for hydrogen are still in their infancy compared to electric vehicles, further driving up prices. Economies of scale for hydrogen are yet to develop, which is why production costs remain so high. This results in limited consumer demand, which further diminishes the need for extensive infrastructure development.

You Cannot Purchase The BMW iX5

BMW confirms that the iX5 Hydrogen is a concept vehicle that is not yet available for purchase and has no set price. Around 100 pilot fleet of test and media vehicles are currently in rotation, which plays an important role in the process of making the BMW iX5 Hydrogen concept vehicle available to customers in the future. BMW adds that its market introduction is dependent upon a

number of market requirements
. BMW’s exploration of hydrogen technology dates back to the 1970s when it began experimenting with hydrogen as an alternative to traditional fuel sources. The company unveiled its first hydrogen-powered prototype in 1979 in the shape of a modified 7 Series, which used liquid hydrogen as fuel. In the 1990s, BMW intensified its hydrogen efforts, showcasing the Hydrogen 7 in 2006, a luxury sedan that could run on both gasoline and liquid hydrogen.

The Hydrogen 7 received significant attention as it was the first hydrogen-powered vehicle from a major automaker to be publicly available, albeit in a limited, lease-only program similar to the iX5. However, the reliance on liquid hydrogen, which required extremely low temperatures, limited its practicality. BMW shifted focus in the 2010s, looking toward hydrogen fuel cells, a more scalable technology for hydrogen-powered vehicles. In 2015, BMW partnered with Toyota to

develop hydrogen fuel cell technology
, combining their engineering expertise. This collaboration led to the development of hydrogen fuel cell prototypes based on the BMW X5 platform. This resulted in the i Hydrogen NEXT just a few years later. Last year, BMW continued its push with the iX5 Hydrogen, signaling plans for small-scale production.

The iX5 Doesn’t Produce Tailpipe Emissions

The benefit of hydrogen is that there are no tailpipe emissions, whatsoever, so

if you are an eco-conscious consumer
, this is going to be one of the more fulfilling cars you can consider. As a result, you get access to the HOV carpool sticker. The iX5 also needs just five minutes to refuel, which is significantly faster than a conventional EV.

The BMW iX5’s Hydrogen Emissions

• BMW’s hydrogen fuel cell vehicles emit only water vapor as a byproduct, making them zero-emission vehicles.
• The water vapor produced from BMW’s hydrogen vehicles is clean and does not contribute to air pollution.
• Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer a solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as they do not emit CO2 during operation.
• BMW’s commitment to hydrogen technology aligns with its vision for sustainable mobility and reducing environmental impact.
• The absence of traditional tailpipe emissions in BMW’s hydrogen vehicles contributes to improved air quality and public health.
• BMW continues to invest in hydrogen fuel cell technology to expand its lineup of zero-emission vehicles and promote widespread adoption.

The iX5 converts hydrogen into electricity by mixing it with air sourced from the intake system. This chemical reaction results in electricity, some of which is stored in the car’s 1.2 kWh battery pack. The only byproduct of this chemical reaction is water. Hydrogen is a highly combustible element, so BMW has gone out of its way to ensure the tank is as safe as can be. It is covered with leak-detecting sensors, which automatically trigger the valves to close if any danger becomes present.

The Cost Of Hydrogen In The U.S.

• Hydrogen production costs in the U.S. vary widely depending on the method, with electrolysis being one of the most expensive.
• Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are driving down the cost of green hydrogen production.
• Infrastructure costs for hydrogen refueling stations remain high but are decreasing as adoption grows.
• Incentives and subsidies play a significant role in offsetting hydrogen production and infrastructure costs.
• Scaling up production and implementing cost-efficient distribution systems are crucial for reducing hydrogen costs.
• Research and development efforts aim to innovate technologies and processes to further decrease the cost of hydrogen in the USA.

Once the BMW iX5 gets approved for public purchase and leasing, there’s a high likelihood that the brand will offer the model with a complementary refueling service. Toyota, Honda, and

Hyundai
include a $15,000 hydrogen fuel credit over three to six years depending on whether you lease or purchase. This is a fundamental inclusion for FCEVs in the U.S., as most users simply cannot afford the cost of refueling without this assistance.

The U.S. Has Just Over 50 Hydrogen Fueling Stations

There are currently 59 hydrogen stations you can access in the U.S., all of which are located in California, but only in the most popular areas like San Francisco and Los Angeles. You will find two stations in Sacramento and one just outside Truckee. But, what comes as a big blow is Shell shutting down seven hydrogen stations recently. The already low number of hydrogen stations further took a hit that not just affects the owners, but also automakers that are

deeply invested in hydrogen tech
.

Hydrogen Stations In The U.S.

• The number of hydrogen refueling stations in the USA is growing steadily, primarily in California, but also expanding to other states.
• California leads the nation in hydrogen station deployment, with plans to build a comprehensive network to support fuel cell vehicle adoption.
• Public and private partnerships play a crucial role in funding and developing hydrogen refueling infrastructure across the country.
• Hydrogen station locations are strategically chosen to support key transportation corridors and urban centers.
• The availability of hydrogen stations influences consumer confidence and adoption of fuel cell vehicles.
• Continued investment in hydrogen infrastructure is essential to support the growth of the hydrogen economy and decarbonize transportation in the USA.

The Department of Energy confirms that suppliers are busy working on 50 additional hydrogen stations for FCEV owners. Five of these will be located in northeastern states, further improving the viability of hydrogen cars for American road users. The DoE is currently running an H2USA campaign, which involves federal agencies, automakers, hydrogen providers, fuel cell developers, national laboratories, and additional stakeholders to advance hydrogen supply across the country. While admirable, it’s clear that the uptake is not as urgent as electric car charging stations, of which there are already well over 160,000.