What we know!

From the beginning, BMW has been responsible for groundbreaking research and development, all the while setting amazing standards when it comes to electric vehicles in today’s world.

Boasting the broadest offering amongst premium manufacturers with 10 models in six model series, BMW has, in the first half of 2022, more than doubled its sales of all-electric vehicles compared to the same period last year. What once was a fuzzy vision is now a true reality, with today’s consumers – and the environment – reaping the greatest benefits.

The start of converting two BMW 1602 vehicles in 1972 to be used by the organizing committee as support and camera cars in various long-distance competitions marked the beginning of an era like no other. That included the forward-looking and thinking development that continues to be celebrated world wide today with its current lineup of all-electric models. Best sellers like the BMW iX3, the four-door Gran Coupe i4 and the premium SAV iX – with the Neue Klasse slated for 2025 – are just some examples of innovation at its finest.

What came before!

Even before the first models in 1972, initial research into this all-electric phenomenon took place, when in 1969 BMW built two test vehicles based on the BMW 02 series to test electric drives. This followed a consistent, innovative path, with the 1602 reaching a speed of 100 km/h and boasting a maximum range of around 60 kilometers, still low by today’s standards yet reflecting that pioneer spirit that still reigns strong today.

Following that 1972 Olympic introduction, the BMW Group has been successful in setting various research and development projects into motion, always striving to bring an even better and more efficient electric vehicle to the road.

Through the years, a notable advancement took place in June, 1975, when the BMW LS Electric, within 14 hours, could be charged at a conventional household socket. Other strides took place between 1987 and 1990, when eight BMW 325iX vehicles converted from all-wheel drive to front-wheel drive and served as test vehicles for a novel and maintenance-free sodium-sulfur battery with three times the energy density of conventional lead batteries. This not only helped spur, but was responsible for the advancements of today.

It was in 1991 at the International Motor Show, that the BMW E1, an all-electric city car for four people plus their luggage, and featuring compact dimensions suited for everyday driving, debuted. It had a remarkable range at that time of up to 160 kilometers in city traffic, and with its then groundbreaking technology, located the battery under the rear seats, with the electric motor including transmission integrated into the rear axle. It had the ability to recharge in six hours from a power socket, with the process accelerating to just two hours at a special charging station.

Advancements through the years!

Continuing in the 1990s, BMW continued its development of electric drive technology toward series production, when, based on the third generation of the 3 Series, 25 test vehicles were built in which new components were both tested and optimized. Excitingly, eight vehicles from Project 25 were used between 1992-1996, with the world’s largest public research project to date taking place on the island of Rugen in Germany to test different engines, transmissions and batteries under every day conditions. This is just another example of a trial delivering data and important information which was responsible for the further development of electromobility by the BMW Group.

In the years ahead, more and more vehicles were presented, with customers charging batteries in two and a half hours via a wallbox, such as in 2008 when a fleet of more than 600 MINI E’s hit the road as part of a pilot project. Once again, knowledge was gained and another large foot forward was taken.

It was in 2010 that the world premiere of the BMW Concept ActiveE hit the horizon, with this all-electric model based on the BMW 1 Series Coupe, thus a new era for BMW took root. Two years later, the automaker announced that it will launch its electric cars under the BMW i sub-brand, with the first production, the BMW i3, wowing motorists everywhere. This was innovation at its finest!

In 2013, with electric mobility in its infancy, BMW continued to forge ahead, with the BMW i3 proving to be unique on the car market, developed from the outset exclusively as an electric car. Impressive through and through due to its unique architecture consisting of an aluminum chassis and a passenger cell made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, the i3 quickly rose to the top. So successful that by the time production ended in 2022, more than 250,000 units were sold, making it the world’s most successful electric vehicle in the compact car segment.

More leaders to follow!

As time went on, successful vehicles in the area of electromobility continued to be revealed, developing in parallel with the i3 the BMW i8, the first plug-in hybrid model.

It is important to note that by 2017, the BMW Group was selling more electrified vehicles than any other established premium supplier. In the years that followed, BMW continued to develop its electric vehicles, with 2018 marking the fourth generation of the launch of the BMW eDrive, resulting in even more efficiency and range. This was followed in 2020 by the BMW iX3, the first all-electric model that combines locally emission-free driving pleasure coupled with typical BMW sportiness.

The all-electric SAV BMW iX3 is surely considered a pioneer, representing the fifth generation of eDrive technology, which embraces and achieves major advances in power density, range, weight, installation space requirements and flexibility over the i3.

The redesigned engine also powers the i4, an all-electric four-door Gran Coupe that launched in 2021 and represented sportiness and long-distance comfort, as well as boasted sustainable performance. In the same year, the BMW Group continued to amaze, presenting the BMW iX, an all-electric and premium SAV. It embodied luxury, performance and advanced technology in the form of driver assistance, operation, connectivity and digital services.

Wearing another hat!

In addition to their advances and innovations as a leader in electromobility, the BMW Group is also making its mark in the area of sustainability, with an approach that spans everything from raw material extraction and production to recycling. BMW Group’s forward thinking in approaching this all-new realm in driving embodies the responsible use of resources and the reduction of the CO2 footprint. In addition, the supply of cobalt and lithium batteries required for the high-voltage batteries comes from controlled sources in both Australia and Morocco.

Looking into the future, specifically by 2050, the BMW Group has high aims! They expect to become completely climate-neutral across the entire value chain.

Battery types

From the beginnings using lead-acid batteries with a capacity of 12.6 kWh and a weight of 350 kg to much more advanced technology, BMW has set the bar high, presenting vehicles with more efficient batteries through the years. From the 1980s when they launched an electric vehicle with sodium-sulfur batteries to new-generation batteries allowing for optimal range, the automaker continued to improve upon its offerings year after year.

With a long history of research and development in the field of electric models, BMW Group has not only come a long way, but has its sights set on a future rooted in continued innovation and discovery. Launching a legend and forging ahead! This is the ultimate in pioneering!