BMW iX5 Hydrogen Proven to be Resilient Over Extreme Obstacles in the Desert

BMW iX5 Hydrogen which underwent trials in the United Arab Emirates. (Doc. BMW Group)]

JAKARTA - BMW iX5 Hydrogen is a luxury SUV that was introduced in February this year. This car is based on the BMW X5 with a petrol engine launched in 2019.

In the car development process, BMW partnered with a hydrogen car pioneer from Japan, Toyota. The two companies have invested in hydrogen-filling technology for a number of vehicles.

After going through a series of tests, BMW underwent a more extreme test on the iX5 Hydrogen. The Bavarian manufacturer managed to test this car intensively in the hot weather in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the first time.

According to official information from BMW, on Thursday, September 7, cars powered by fuel cells showed extraordinary performance in facing temperatures reaching 45 degrees Celsius, while going through challenging sand and dust areas.

The test session in the UAE aims to test the extent to which hydrogen-powered cars can withstand various extreme challenges, which are very different conditions compared to everyday use in cities. This test finally proves that the iX5 is able to maintain the driving characteristics that are the hallmark of BMW.

A highly efficient fuel cell system, equipped with two hydrogen tanks, an electric motor and a power battery, collaborates with the central vehicle control unit to demonstrate exceptional performance and readiness.

Cars from this fleet are currently operating in various regions, including Europe, Japan, Korea, China, the US and the Middle East. One of BMW's goals is to introduce the iX5 Hydrogen in various countries to support the development of 700 bar standard hydrogen refueling infrastructure for all types of vehicles.

Cross-sector collaboration also opens up important opportunities to develop a strong supplier network in hydrogen technology and reduce associated costs.

The BMW iX5 Hydrogen offers significant range with short charging times and zero emissions. With adequate infrastructure, hydrogen-powered cars can become an important component in the BMW Group's future strategy.

The BMW iX5 Hydrogen claims to have a range of up to 504 kilometers on one refueling, making it possible to use this car for long distance trips without worrying about running out of power.

Additionally, this car has a relatively fast charging time, only requiring around 3-4 minutes to completely fill the hydrogen tank.

The hydrogen-powered SUV is powered by the BMW eDrive system, which includes an electric motor, transmission and power electronic components, as well as a fuel cell system that produces a total of 401 hp.