(Munich, Germany) – BMW AG has received €273 million in funding for its “HyPowerDrive” project. The goal is to develop and industrialize an innovative fuel cell powertrain for passenger cars that can be integrated into existing vehicle architectures. “For the first time, we are offering the new BMW X5 with five different drive options in series production, including the iX5 Hydrogen with a fuel cell from 2028,” says Joachim Post, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG.
Handover of the funding notification (from left): Joachim Post (BMW Board Member for Development), Markus Söder (Minister-President of Bavaria), Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schnieder, Hubert Aiwanger (Bavarian Minister for Economic Affairs). © Federal Ministry of Transport
The drive technology is based on the third generation of the fuel cell system, which the BMW Group developed in collaboration with Toyota Motor Corporation. This further development enables "a more compact design as well as a more powerful and efficient system." It also offers greater range and performance with simultaneously reduced energy consumption. Competence centers in Munich and at the BMW plant in Steyr are building the first prototypes. In addition, the BMW plant in Landshut is supplying further components for the drive system ( as previously reported ).
The "HyPowerDrive" project was selected as an "Important Project of Common European Interest" (IPCEI) in 2021. Based on an early start date, BMW began implementation in early 2023. State aid approval from the European Commission was granted at the end of May 2024. As is typical for German IPCEI projects, funding is provided jointly by the federal government (€191 million) and the responsible federal state (in this case, Bavaria with €82 million).
In addition to “HyPowerDrive”, the projects “Pegasus” by Daimler Truck AG (fuel cell trucks for long-distance transport) and “NextGen HD Stack” by EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies (new generation of high-performance fuel cell modules) are supported by the federal and state governments.
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BMW plans to launch an "iX5 Hydrogen" model with a fuel cell drive in 2028. © BMW AG
