BMW, IONNA and Alpitronic demonstrate 460 kW high-power charging for the new BMW iX5 60 xDrive
BMW Group, IONNA and Alpitronic showed the new BMW iX5 60 xDrive charging at up to 460 kW in Southern California, a demonstration BMW says is not hardware commercially available in the U.S. today.
- 460 kW
- Up to 226 miles (363 km), WLTP
- 22 minutes
- 141 kWh
What Happened
BMW Group, IONNA and Alpitronic joined forces to demonstrate high-power charging as part of an International Media Event in Laguna Hills, USA, showing the new BMW iX5 60 xDrive charging at up to 460 kW. The iX5 is the first ever battery-electric BMW X5, which BMW says raises the bar. IONNA's EV charging network is described as the connective tissue tying vehicle innovation together with reliable hardware to preserve the customer experience. Alpitronic delivered the charging power through close collaboration with BMW Group and IONNA.
460kW
Demonstrated on the new BMW iX5 60 xDrive in Southern California with IONNA and Alpitronic.
- Up to 226 miles (363 km), WLTP
- 22 minutes
- 141 kWh
The new BMW iX5 is launched with the sixth generation of BMW's eDrive technology, known as Gen6, which debuted in the BMW iX3. Gen6 includes a new powertrain with 800 V technology, updated and highly efficient electric motors, and completely new high-voltage batteries with cylindrical cells. BMW says those cylindrical cells deliver 20% increased volumetric energy density than their predecessors, the Gen5 prismatic battery cells. The technology brings significantly extended range, faster charging and bidirectional charging functionality.
“Showing the full High-Power-Charging potential of the new BMW iX5 for the first time in front of global media in Southern California, makes us very proud. We want to thank our partners at IONNA and Alpitronic who help to make this demonstration possible with outstanding expertise in their fields of technology. Charging with up to 460 kW, and many new intelligent Charging functions, are key aspects of the technological leap we are taking with our Gen6 eDrive technology, fully focused on our global customers.”
“This collaboration is translating next-generation charging technology into an experience drivers can trust. By bringing together BMW's vehicle innovation, Alpitronic's High-Power-Charging hardware expertise and IONNA's customer-first network, we are helping redefine what public charging should be, while building a foundation for what comes next.”
IONNA says its network is built around three customer priorities: reliability, through rigorous interoperability testing and operations designed to keep charging simple and dependable; affordability, including charging discounts available to eligible BMW drivers; and convenience, through seamless digital integrations and locations designed around the needs of drivers and their journeys. Alpitronic brings its high-power charging expertise to the demonstration, building on its long-term partnership with BMW and a shared focus on seamless interaction between the vehicle and the charging hardware. Alpitronic CEO and co-founder Philipp Senoner said vehicle innovation and charging infrastructure must advance together, and that the long-term partnership with BMW has given his company a deep understanding of how to bring those technologies together. BMW notes that the 460 kW experience is a technology demonstration and does not represent charging hardware commercially available in the U.S. today.
Previously from BMW
BMW has been presenting the new X5 to media in Los Angeles in the same period. Our earlier coverage noted that BMW published additional photo and video assets for the new X5, including on-location photography and b-roll material captured at the BMW Group Media & Stakeholder Days Los Angeles 2026.
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of BMW's official releases.
Why this matters
The demonstration shows what BMW's Gen6 800-volt electric architecture can do when paired with the fastest public charging hardware, adding up to 226 miles of WLTP range in ten minutes. For drivers, the real-world benefit depends on charging networks such as IONNA, which offers charging discounts to eligible BMW drivers. BMW stresses the 460 kW figure is a technology demonstration, not equipment available at U.S. charging stations today.
Terms in This Story
- High-Power Charging
- Very fast DC charging at high power levels, typically at public stations, used to shorten stops on long journeys.
- 800 V technology
- An electric vehicle architecture in which the high-voltage system runs at around 800 volts rather than the more common 400 volts, which affects charging and efficiency.
- Volumetric energy density
- The amount of energy a battery can store per unit of volume; higher density means more energy in the same space.
- Bidirectional charging
- The ability of an electric vehicle both to draw electricity and to send it back out, for example to power equipment or feed energy elsewhere.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.