The Mobility Highlights of Week 37/2026

BMW is pushing forward with the development of the iX5 Hydrogen toward series production. Current prototypes are undergoing an extensive testing program, while the next development phase for the third-generation fuel cell system begins in Munich. At the same time, the BMW Group Plant Steyr is preparing for eventual series manufacturing.

The fuel cell vehicle combines a fuel cell system, electric motor, high-voltage battery, and hydrogen storage. BMW is targeting a WLTP range of up to 750 kilometers (~466 miles) and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0–62 mph) in under five seconds. Refueling the hydrogen tanks is also designed to take less than five minutes.

At the Hydrogen Competence Center in Munich, testing and production processes for the third-generation fuel cell system are now being refined. These insights will subsequently feed into industrialization at the BMW Group Plant Steyr, where initial test rigs and production facilities are already being set up and employees are being trained for future series production.

Audi has kicked off series production of the all-electric A2 e-tron in Ingolstadt. For its new entry-level EV, the manufacturer streamlined development and production processes, shaving 21 months off the development schedule compared to previous vehicle projects.

The vehicle bodies are built on flexible assembly lines alongside the Audi A3. In the process, Audi is reusing more than 1,200 existing manufacturing components, including around 250 robots. New features include fully automated wheel mounting and camera-assisted bin picking. Furthermore, production processes are managed centrally via the "Edge Cloud 4 Production," eliminating the need for more than 450 industrial PCs.

In Germany, the A2 e-tron is launching with four power output options: 125, 140, 170, and 240 kW. Combined electricity consumption ranges between 12.8 and 15.7 kWh/100 km, depending on the variant and equipment. All four versions carry a CO₂ class A rating.

Together with research and industry partners, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has developed a new electrode architecture for battery cells. Thanks to significantly thicker electrode coatings, cells can store 10 to 15 percent more energy at the same weight. The concept has been tested on lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and zinc-ion batteries.

To achieve this, researchers increased the electrode coating thickness from the usual 100 to 200 micrometers up to 800 micrometers. This reduces the number of current collectors needed and leaves more room for active material. For lithium-ion batteries, the process has already been implemented in pouch cells manufactured under industrial-like conditions. The electrodes are also PFAS-free and produced without toxic solvents.

The new architecture is also expected to cut complexity, costs, footprint, and energy requirements in cell production. Fraunhofer ISE and its industry partners are now exploring further scaling. Project partners see potential for industrialization in areas such as batteries for stationary energy storage.

The IAA MOBILITY Visionary Club brings together visionary leaders, innovators, and changemakers shaping the future of mobility. In our exclusive LinkedIn group, members gain access to inspiring interviews, fresh perspectives, and ideas from across the entire mobility ecosystem.

In the latest episode, Sophia Rödiger, CMO at 1KOMMA5°, joins host Sarah Harman to discuss what mobility means to her, why she considers herself an electromobility pioneer, and how she experienced the rapid expansion of charging infrastructure across Europe.

She also shares her perspective on the energy transition, why she believes it needs to move faster, and how 1KOMMA5° managed to turn energy from a traditionally unexciting product into a lifestyle brand.

Join the IAA MOBILITY Visionary Club on LinkedIn today!