BMW is rolling out its third-generation hydrogen fuel cell drive system, set for series production from 2028 at the BMW Group Plant Steyr in Austria. Compared to earlier versions, this new system is about 25% more compact and delivers higher power density, making it significantly more efficient and easier to package. It’s designed with a high degree of integration, allowing seamless fitting into future vehicle architectures—supporting BMW’s technology-open approach and enabling a variety of drive systems.
Prototype units are currently being developed at BMW’s competence centers in Munich and Steyr. These prototypes are central to refining assembly and testing processes, ensuring industrial scalability, quality assurance, and validation on both system and vehicle levels.
The main series production location will be Plant Steyr, where new testing rigs and production equipment are being installed and the facility is undergoing modifications to support the new technology. BMW Group Plant Landshut will produce key components like the hydrogen-specific BMW Energy Master, an advanced control unit managing the power supply (400–800 V) and interfacing with the high-voltage battery. Equipment construction for this is expected to begin in late May 2026, with prototype production kicking off mid-2026 at Plant Dingolfing.
The development involves a deepening partnership between BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation. Together, they are jointly developing the fuel cell powertrain system, combining their strengths to support both passenger and commercial vehicle applications. This collaboration fosters synergies in development and procurement while enabling each brand to design and deploy brand-specific models within a shared architecture.
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