While the automotive industry is shifting to battery-electric vehicles, BMW and Toyota announce their leadership in the hydrogen game. The Bavarian automaker has just confirmed that its third-generation fuel cell system will enter series production in 2028, marking a decisive step toward integrating hydrogen power into passenger vehicles.
The system will be built at BMW Group Plant Steyr in Austria, while prototypes are already being developed at the company’s hydrogen competence centers in Munich and Steyr. Key components will also be supplied by BMW’s Landshut technology hub.
This is not BMW’s first foray into hydrogen. The journey began in 2014 with the Toyota-supplied fuel cell in the BMW 535iA. The second generation arrived in the iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet. Now, the third generation is different. BMW has designed the full fuel cell system itself, with Toyota once again supplying the individual fuel cells. Together, the companies are co-developing the powertrain for both passenger and commercial vehicles, leveraging synergies in technology and procurement while retaining brand-specific designs.
The upgrades are substantial. The new system is 25% more compact, thanks to increased power density that allows for tighter packaging. It is also far more integrated, designed to slip seamlessly into future BMW architecture vehicles without compromise. Efficiency has been raised significantly, with optimized components and smarter operating strategies translating to longer range, higher output, and lower energy consumption. In short, everything is leaner. Stronger. Smarter.
At the Munich competence center, prototypes are undergoing validation. Engineers are refining assembly and testing processes, focusing on quality, industrial scalability, and long-term durability. Each prototype is not only a proof of concept but also a vital step in preparing the system for full-scale production.
Meanwhile, Plant Steyr is preparing for its role as the production hub. Decades of experience with combustion engines and electric motors will now be extended to hydrogen fuel cells. New test rigs and assembly lines are being installed, ensuring readiness for 2028. “We are proud to be producing another innovative drive technology at Plant Steyr,” said Klaus von Moltke, Senior Vice President Engine Production.
Plant Landshut will handle components, including the next-generation BMW Energy Master. This control unit manages the 400–800V power supply and interfaces with the high-voltage battery. Hardware production begins in 2026, alongside housings and pressure plates for the upcoming fuel cell vehicles.
For BMW, the message is clear: hydrogen is not a side project. It’s a core pillar of a technology-open future, one where customers can choose between various powertrain options. And with Toyota at its side, the hydrogen road ahead looks increasingly real.
