The BMW Group has revealed its iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet that will go into service this year, writes Trish Whelan. After four years of development work, the iX5 Hydrogen vehicle and development project is entering its critical next phase. The fleet of under 100 vehicles will be employed internationally for demonstration and trial purposes for various target groups. The iX5 Hydrogen was developed on the basis of the current X5. The BMW Group sources the individual fuel cells from the Toyota Motor Corporation. The two companies have enjoyed a partnership for many years and have been collaborating on fuel cell drive systems since 2013. BMW say the car will have a range of 504km in the WLTP cycle. Filling up the hydrogen tanks only takes three to four minutes and that the car can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6 secs. The iX5 Hydrogen is being built in the BMW Group’s pilot plant at its Research and Innovation Centre in Munich.