BMW’s plans to phase out the i3 electric car might be changing. Before Oliver Zipse took over as BMW Group CEO, the faith of the BMW i3 seemed to be set in stone – no production passed 2020. But according to a report by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the BMW i3 might get another life.
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Even though no successor is planned at the moment, the new chief in Munich wants to extend the life of the company’s first ever production series EV. The report says that the lifecycle of the current i3 will be extended and, of course, the electric car will also receive another technical update during this time.
Although Zipse avoids to set a timeline for the i3, it’s likely that with a new update the life of the EV will be extended by at least a couple of years.
One reason behind this decision could be related to the recently introduced VW ID.3, a hatchback that aims to play in the same segment. The ID.3 will be available with three different battery choices: a 45 kWh battery with a maximum range of 205 miles, a 58 kWh battery with a maximum range of 261 miles, or a 77 kWh battery with a maximum range of 341 miles.
Currently, the BMW i3 120Ah has a range of 260 km (161 miles) but it can also be optioned in some markets with a Range Extender.
Next year is shaping up to be an electric one for the brand. First, the BMW iX3 will arrive as the first fully electric SUV from Munich, followed by the MINI Cooper SE. Then a series of plug-in hybrids will go in production to complement the EV range.
In 2021, BMW will introduce the i4 four-door coupe and the iNEXT crossover.
