9 Dec 16
News

BMW to expand its EV range

In a bid to future-proof its business, BMW is speeding up the expansion of its range of electric and hybrid vehicles – both for its regular lineup and its I sub-brand. 

The future release of all-electric Mini hatchback (the Cooper E, to be launched 2019), X3 (with a 500-km range, to be launched 2020) and 3 Series (a rival to Tesla Model 3, launch planned for 2021) models, plus an i5 saloon (currently still called iNext, pictured, to be launched 2021), i6 SUV to be launched 2022) and all-electric i8 sports car, show the brand's determination (to move away from its emphasis on combustion engines and refocus on electric, autonomous and services-led mobility company. 

The operational changes implied by this shift have been proposed in Strategy Number One Next, a paper presented by company CEO Harald Krüger. They include expanding the DriveNow car-sharing scheme jointly operated with Sixt, assuming leadership in autonomous driving and driver assistance technology via a joint venture with Intel and Mobileye, and strengthening digital competences via BMW Connect – considered an essential part of future revenue streams. 

Strategy Number One Next is centred on lightweight, post-fossil, connected, autonomous driving – with the iNext/i5 considered the future standard. It will be sufficiently autonomous for drivers to take their eyes off the highway – but not autonomous enough for self-driving in urban environments. 

BMW's strategy paper targets an increase in annual EV sales to 500,000 units by 2025, i.e. 20% of total volume, and 18 times more than last year. The company's priority shift is aimed at countering threats by upstart automotive distruptors like Tesla, Uber and Google, but also by established players like Audi, Jaguar and Daimler, who recently all have unveiled similar forward-looking strategies. 

Image: BMW

Authored by: Frank Jacobs