The BMW Group has once again pushed the boundaries of automotive technology with the launch of the new BMW X5, a model that will give customers an unprecedented choice of five drivetrain technologies: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cell.
“By launching the new BMW X5 with a choice of five drive system variants, we are once again demonstrating our leading position as a technology pioneer,” said Joachim Post, BMW’s Board Member for Development, at a recent event in New York. “Hydrogen has an essential part to play in global decarbonisation, which is why we are committed to driving the technology forward.”
BMW’s strategy of offering multiple drivetrain options reflects a broader industry trend: flexibility and choice are increasingly crucial to staying competitive.
According to the company, the X5’s diverse powertrain lineup is supported by flexible manufacturing structures and advanced integration expertise, making it possible to efficiently produce both conventional internal combustion engines and cutting-edge electric and hydrogen systems under one model line.
For UK garages, BMW’s multi-drivetrain approach underscores a growing reality: diverse vehicle technology is here to stay. Workshops will need to adapt to a market where ICE, hybrid, electric, and hydrogen vehicles coexist, each with unique maintenance, diagnostic, and safety requirements.
Among the most notable announcements is the upcoming BMW iX5 Hydrogen, set to enter series production in 2028. The iX5 Hydrogen is based on a third-generation fuel cell system developed in partnership with Toyota, promising a more compact, powerful, and efficient design that increases driving range while reducing energy consumption.
Michael Rath, BMW’s Vice President of Hydrogen Vehicles, said: “The new BMW iX5 Hydrogen will be a true BMW—pioneering in its class and delivering the BMW typical driving pleasure.” For technicians, this signals a future where hydrogen-powered vehicles could become a regular part of the service roster, alongside traditional and electric drivetrains.
Hydrogen is more than a novelty, it’s increasingly viewed as a critical piece of the zero-emissions puzzle, particularly where battery-electric technology may not be ideal. It can store renewable energy, stabilize power grids, and help meet decarbonization targets.
BMW isn’t stopping at vehicles. Through its HyMoS (Hydrogen Mobility at Scale) initiative, the company is actively supporting the expansion of hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
The initiative pools demand across vehicles, including trucks, buses, and passenger cars—to make hydrogen ecosystems economically viable.
Pilot projects are already underway in Germany and France, with potential for broader metropolitan rollout in the future.
