i3

Make
BMW
Segment
Hatchback

Right now, the only fully electric model in BMW's lineup is the BMW i3, which has been on sale since 2013, but this will soon change as the Bavarian automaker prepares to rapidly expand its EV lineup and catch up with the competition. According to Autocar, BMW is planning to launch as many as nine new electric cars as part of its 'Power of Choice' sustainability plan.

As part of this plan, the Bavarian automaker aims to sell more than seven million plug-in hybrid and pure-electric vehicles by the end of 2030. To date, BMW Group has sold more than 500,000 electrified models across the BMW and Mini brands, but this figure is expected to double by the end of 2021 with new electric and plug-in hybrid model launches. As well as meeting tougher emission targets, these new model launches will enable BMW to compete with rival premium electric cars from the likes of Audi, Jaguar, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and Tesla.

Within the next ten years, BMW expects to sell 4.6 million fully electric vehicles - that's an average of 460,000 per year and a huge increase considering it sold 42,249 last year, although these were all i3 models.

So, which electric models can we expect to join BMW's i family within the next ten years? Some models have already been confirmed, but there are a few surprises. Following its debut in July, the BMW iX3 will go on sale in summer 2021, followed by the Model 3-rivalling BMW i4 and the production version of the BMW iNext, which will reportedly be called the iX and offer up to 460 miles of range. Replacing the i3 will be an electric version of the BMW X1 crossover called the iX1 that will rival the Volkswagen ID.3, while the i5 and i7 will be based on the next-generation 5 Series and 7 Series sedans. The former will be an electric sedan rivaling the production Volkswagen ID Vizzion and the Mercedes-Benz EQE.

According to Autocar's sources, the current 3 Series sedan will spawn a fully electric variant that will retain the i3 name when the electric hatchback ends production. It will reportedly be based on the i4 with styling cues inspired by the combustion-powered 3 Series Sedan. While the production version of the iNext was being pitched as a new flagship, design proposals have allegedly been submitted for an even more luxurious iX7. If approved, the seven-seat electric SUV is expected to arrive in 2025.

In addition, Mini is also planning to expand its EV lineup beyond the Cooper SE with at least two new electric cars at least two new electric SUVs based on the on the iX1 and iX3.