BMW doubles Energy Master production

BMW’s Landshut plant is becoming a focal point for two parts of the company’s next drivetrain push: battery-electric Neue Klasse vehicles and a future hydrogen model. On May 21, BMW said the site had started pre-series production of a hydrogen-specific version of its “Energy Master” and commissioned a second production line for the battery-electric version. Automobilwoche reported the same day that BMW was effectively doubling Energy Master output in Landshut as it expands capacity for the control unit. The moves tie one Bavarian components plant to both BMW’s near-term EV rollout and its longer-range hydrogen program. ### What exactly is the Energy Master BMW is scaling up? The Energy Master is the central control unit of BMW’s high-voltage system, according to the company’s May 21 statement. BMW said the unit controls the interaction of the high-voltage battery and electric motor and also serves as the interface for power supply and vehicle data. (press.bmwgroup.com) BMW has said development and production of the Energy Master are being handled fully in-house for the first time. That matters because the part sits at the center of both the Neue Klasse battery-electric architecture and BMW’s hydrogen drivetrain work, rather than being a peripheral module. (press.bmwgroup.com) ### Why does Landshut matter in BMW’s plans? Landshut is one of BMW’s main component plants and employs about 3,700 people, according to the plant’s website. BMW says the site supplies key parts used across BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles, and it has been assigned a growing role in electrification components. In February 2025, BMW had already said Landshut would produce the Energy Master for Neue Klasse vehicles, with highly automated manufacturing using about 400 robots and around 700 employees in that area of production. (press.bmwgroup.com) The May 2026 update adds a second line for that same control unit, indicating the site is moving from launch preparation to higher-volume output. (bmwgroup-werke.com) ### What is new on the hydrogen side? BMW said on May 21 that Landshut had started pre-series production of a key control unit for its hydrogen drivetrain. The hydrogen-specific Energy Master is slated for the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen, the company said. Thomas Thym, head of BMW Group Plant Landshut, said in the company statement that the start of pre-series production for the hydrogen-specific Energy Master underscored the plant’s role as a competence center for drivetrain technologies. (idowa.de) Bavaria’s state government separately described the step as part of BMW’s path toward series production of its first hydrogen vehicle. (press.bmwgroup.com) ### How does this connect to Neue Klasse? BMW said the second production line in Landshut is for the battery-electric Energy Master used in Neue Klasse vehicles including the BMW iX3 and BMW i3. That links the capacity increase directly to the company’s next-generation EV platform rather than to legacy electric models. Automobilwoche reported that the production expansion supports BMW’s Neue Klasse drivetrain strategy. (press.bmwgroup.com) BMW’s own statement used narrower language, saying the plant was strengthening its role in battery-electric and hydrogen drivetrain technologies. Taken together, the reporting and company release show Landshut being positioned as a shared component hub for both programs. (press.bmwgroup.com) ### What comes next from here? BMW said in September 2025 that series production of its next-generation hydrogen drive system is scheduled to begin in 2028 at its Steyr plant in Austria. In that plan, Landshut is responsible for key hydrogen components, including production facilities for the hydrogen-specific Energy Master. (automobilwoche.de) The immediate next step is pre-series work in Landshut for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen control unit while the second EV line ramps output for Neue Klasse models. BMW has identified the iX3 and i3 as battery-electric recipients of the Energy Master, and it has said the hydrogen program is moving toward a 2028 series-production target. (press.bmwgroup.com 1) (press.bmwgroup.com 2)