BMW has announced that it will reveal its first mass-market hydrogen-powered car in 2028 and introduce fuel-cell variants (FCEVs) of existing models afterward. The X5 will likely be the first to benefit from this hydrogen powerplant, as BMW has already been testing a modified version of its popular SUV.
The new BMWs will use powertrains co-developed with Toyota, as part of an expanded partnership between the two brands. “This is a milestone in automotive history,” said BMW chairman Oliver Zipse. “Powered by hydrogen and driven by the spirit of cooperation, it will underscore how technological progress is shaping future mobility. It will herald an era of significant demand for fuel cell electric vehicles," he added.
If the timelines are met, BMW could become the first carmaker to offer a mass-produced FCEV. Toyota's Mirai sedan and the Hyundai Nexo SUV were offered only in limited numbers, and while Honda had been a proponent of the technology, it pulled the plug on the Clarity FCV sedan about three years ago.
“The collaborative effort will be utilised in individual models from both BMW and Toyota and will expand the range of FCEV options available to customers,” BMW said in a statement. “[We are] realising synergies and amalgamating the total volume of powertrain [production] units by collaborating on development and procurement promises to drive down the costs of fuel technology.”
BMW and Toyota have also urged governments worldwide to invest in hydrogen infrastructure. Koji Sato, president of Toyota, said, “We will accelerate our efforts together with BMW and partners across various industries to realise a future where hydrogen energy supports society.”
Toyota has been the most vocal promoter of hydrogen-powered cars, having launched the first Mirai back in 2015. The Japanese company has been steadfast in its commitment to the hydrogen as a fuel despite recent issues such as the widespread closures of filling stations in key markets. Along with the development of hydrogen fuel cells, the company is also developing hydrogen combustion engines; Toyota is looking at participating in the 2026 edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours with a hydrogen-combustion engine prototype.