Hydrogen Drivetrain Architectures and Network Electronics Integration

The BMW Group plant in Landshut has launched pre-series production of a key control unit for the next-generation hydrogen drivetrain system. This module, named the Energy Master, will equip the future BMW iX5 Hydrogen. In parallel, the industrial site is implementing a second production line dedicated to control units for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) of the Neue Klasse—specifically for the BMW iX3 and BMW i3 models—consolidating the factory's role as a center of excellence for sustainable mobility.

Energy Flow Management and High-Voltage Architecture
The Energy Master serves as the central control unit for the high-voltage system. In traditional battery electric vehicles, this module is integrated directly onto the high-voltage battery. In the BMW iX5 Hydrogen configuration, an optimized variant assumes central management of the powertrain and is installed on the BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage system. This unit combines data and energy flows, regulates the power supply for the electric motor and the on-board electrical system, ensuring synergistic and intelligent operation of the entire ecosystem. In effect, it represents the vital interface between the fuel cell system, the high-voltage battery, and the electric drive motors.

"Our ambition for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen is clear: a true BMW – with pure driving pleasure. To achieve this goal, a perfectly coordinated overall system is essential. The Energy Master is a key component in this regard: it intelligently controls the innovative high-voltage battery and, together with the third-generation fuel cell system, ensures superior driving dynamics."
— Josef Hochreiter, Vice President Hydrogen Vehicles at BMW Group.

The plant's deep mechatronic expertise fosters a transfer of knowledge between battery-powered and hydrogen-powered platforms. For the first time in the BMW Group's history, the development and industrialization of the Energy Master were managed entirely in-house. The close integration of electronic expertise and series production allows for optimized processes across both technologies.

Industrial Synergies and Scalability at the Landshut Site
The launch of the hydrogen-specific pre-series reinforces the Landshut plant's position as a competence center for innovative drivetrain technologies, merging process engineering, production flexibility, and commercial scalability. On the electric front, the integration of the second production line will nearly double the overall capacity for this component for the Neue Klasse. In the hydrogen sector, Landshut already boasts solid manufacturing expertise, having developed and refined the fluid distribution plate, which ensures precise hydrogen and air distribution within the cell, and the fuel cell stack housing that structurally integrates and protects the stack.

The Evolution of Flat Tanks and the Technological Openness Strategy
The BMW iX5 Hydrogen, planned for market launch in 2028, will introduce a cutting-edge architecture for hydrogen storage, providing an estimated range of up to 750 kilometers. The BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage system optimizes volumetric space and is fully compatible with the Gen6 battery housing without encroaching on passenger cabin space. This geometric flexibility makes it possible to assemble fuel cell models on the same production line as vehicles with other drivetrain systems.

The module will utilize third-generation (Gen3) fuel cell technology, which is more compact and efficient, developed in partnership with Toyota Motor Corporation. While series production of the fuel cell systems will begin in 2028 at Steyr, Landshut will remain the technological pillar for supplying key components. This corporate strategy is based on technological openness to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on raw material supply chains.

Strategic Investments and Competitive Funding
The development of the drivetrain and tank systems for the iX5 Hydrogen is supported by the "HyPowerDrive" project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Transport under the IPCEI Hy2Move program with a €191 million subsidy, supplemented by €82 million allocated by the State of Bavaria. Since 2020, the BMW Group has invested hundreds of millions of euros to expand electrification technologies at the Landshut plant, securing the competitiveness and innovation capacity of the German industrial site.

Edited by Maria Brueva, Induportals editor – adapted by AI.

www.bmwgroup.com