Since the introduction of the BMW i3 and i8 in 2014, the Bavarians have been slow to develop more electric vehicles. Sure, there have been some hybrids along the way but nothing too substantial or groundbreaking in the world of electrification. All the while, Tesla has had multiple launches, Chevy introduced the Bolt and even Jaguar and Audi developed their own all-electric SUVs. So BMW seems a bit behind in the EV world. However, it should be getting a rather large electric shot in the arm between now and 2025.
At a recent shareholder’s meeting this past Wednesday, BMW showed off its plans to develop twelve all-electric vehicles by 2025. Not hybrids, though there will be those as well, but twelve pure BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles). That’s a large number of electric cars for one brand, at least as it stands right now.
The ones we know of at the moment are the upcoming BMW iX3, MINI Electric, BMW i4 and the BMW iNEXT, the latter of which will debut in 2021. As far as the other eight EVs set for 2025, we don’t know exactly what they’re going to be. But we can likely expect a good mix of small urban city cars, SUVs and luxury cars.
So what’s taken BMW so long to plan a large fully-EV lineup? Well, the Bavarians have been busy working on their own battery pack/powertrain combo. It was very important to BMW to have an electric powetrain unit of its own, as the “M” in BMW does stand for “Motor” after all.
By 2025, BMW should be in the thick of the electric vehicle market. While other brands have passed it as of late, the Bavarians should at least catch up within the next few years. Whether BMW is ahead of its competition by that time is obviously yet to be seen. But it will certainly be far more competitive.
[Source: Green Car Reports]
This was announced by BMW already 2 years ago. As far as I know it includes the Mini SE and RR bevs as well.
2017 BMW press release: https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0274210EN/statements-by-harald-krueger-chairman-of-the-board-of-management-of-bmw-ag-and-klaus-froehlich-member-of-the-board-of-management-of-bmw-ag-development-iaa-preview-2017
Yes. But some unexpected BMWs also.
Ford and GM too.
Also, remember that Ford CMAX replacement was supposed to be out last year!
The iNext 🤢, hopefully they’ll fix it, and those weird BMW grills on the iNext, i4, and iX3 🥴….
OMG. “…Tesla has had multiple launches…” 3.
So GM, VAG & Jag belatedly introduce as many production BEV as BMW: 1.
“So BMW seems a bit behind in the EV world.” How? i3 is unique in the market, still, years after debut, still being upgraded, still selling. In a global market that shows no notable interest in BEV as yet, BEV were a single-digit fraction of 2017 record 80+ million ICE. As with the never sold test fleet MINI & 1 Series, BMW are building the foundation for their volume BEV future. Model 3 volume is due to years of pre-ordered waitlist, BMW still sold most electric in Europe in December, they have the largest fleet of hybrids in my market. Wonder how they’ll do when they’re not being left in the dust by non-existent competitors?
VW is diving in head first with an EV-specific platform for a whole range of BEV’s. The iX3, I4 and Mini are just derivatives of ICE platforms that cannot compete with the others that use EV platforms like Tesla, VW, and Audi. Otherwise I would buy one. When it comes time to replace my Leaf by the end of next year, I don’t want an EV based on an ICE platform.
I saw on Transport Evolved(YouTube) when they reported that BMW and Merc are doing a partnership of EV platform development. I guess we’ll get proper EVs by then. But i think i4 will be amazing you’ll consider it, we’ll just have to wait and see since it will be using their 5th generation electric powertrain. 2021 is not that far.