BMW expands number of EVs

BMW Australia has announced details of three new EV variants due to arrive here by early 2024.

The three additions are the i4 eDrive35, iX3 M Sport and iX1 eDrive20.

All three will be priced below $89,332, exempting them from both Luxury Car Tax (LCT) for fuel efficient vehicles and Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) for fleet operators.

The BMW i4 eDrive35 and iX3 M Sport will arrive at the end of 2023 followed by the iX1 eDrive20 in the first quarter of 2024 and will boost the number of BMW to 13 variants across six fully electric models in its line-up — the widest selection of fully electric vehicles in the Australian market.

The BMW iX1 eDrive20 is powered by an electric motor with a maximum output of 150kW (with temporary boost) and achieves a range of 430 to 475km (WLTP).

The highly integrated drive unit on the front axle of the new entry-level model generates an instantaneous 247Nm of torque in addition to a maximum output of 150kW.

The iX1 eDrive20 accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 8.6 seconds, while its top speed is electronically limited to 170km/h.

The power system of the i4 eDrive35 includes a single motor that drives the rear wheels and develops 210kW and peak torque of 400Nm.

Driving range is listed at 430km on the combined driving test cycle in accordance with ADR 81/02.

The high voltage battery, which has a net capacity of 67kWh, can be charged at up to 11kW via AC, or at 180kW on a high-speed DC charger.

The new iX3 M Sport produces peak power output of 210kW and torque of 400Nm, helping to propel the iX3 M Sport from 0 to 100km/h in just 6.8 seconds.

By next year, the BMW Group anticipates that at least one in five of the company’s new vehicles should have a fully electric drivetrain.

The following year it should be one in four and in 2026 — one in three.

With this expansion, BMW aims to have more than 2 million fully electric vehicles on the road by the end of 2025.

The rapid growth in fully electric models is in alignment with strategic sustainability initiatives.

By 2030, the BMW Group will halve C02 emissions per vehicle per kilometre driven compared with 2019 levels.

Throughout the lifecycle, from the supply chain, through production to the end of use phase, the company will achieve a 40 per cent reduction in C02 emissions.

We’ll provide more details features and specifications as the new variants arrive.