BMW is to extend its electric car line-up outside of its i sub-brand; models slated to receive a zero-emissions variant include the 3 Series, X4 and Mini Cooper
BMW is set to extend its electric car range to include zero-emissions versions of the upcoming seventh-generation 3 Series, the X4 and the Mini Cooper hatchback.
Citing sources close to BMW chairman Harald Krüger, Handelsblattsays the German car maker has developed a new model strategy that will result in a selected number of regular production models offered with pure-electric drive systems. This is part of a push to head off competition from Tesla as well as BMW's traditional premium brand rivals, which include Audi, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and, Volkswagen.
BMW’s new electric models are reportedly planned to be sold from the end of 2018, alongside dedicated electric propelled models from the six-year-old i brand, including the recently upgraded i3,.
The move to add electrically powered versions of the 3 Series, X4 and Mini Cooper to its line-up can be seen as an admission by BMW that its earlier strategy of basing dedicated i brand models around expensive carbonfibre and aluminium platforms as a means of reducing weight over traditional steel structures has failed.
Together with carbon developing company SGL, BMW has invested heavily in raising global carbonfibre production to meet volumes required for the production of the i3 and its i8 hybrid sportscar.
Details of BMW’s new electric car strategy will be tabled by Krüger at a BMW board meeting scheduled for the end of September. The timing of this meeting means BMW will likely make its new electric car plans official at the Paris motor show.
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