BMW confirms electric 5 Series and X1

ONLY a fortnight after debuting the all-electric iX3 SUV, BMW has revealed that electric versions of both its 5 Series sedan and X1 compact SUV are in the pipeline as the Bavarian brand charges towards its goal of offering 25 electrified vehicles by 2023.

As with many of the other electrified models in BMW’s range, the BEV (battery electric) 5 Series and X1 will be offered alongside tradition internal combustion engine variants, plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and mild-hybrids (MHEV).

No details surrounding the new additions to the electric family have been revealed as chairman of the Board of Management Oliver Zipse outlined the brand’s new sustainability and resource efficiency focus of its ‘strategic direction’ and new ‘lifecycle’ CO2 emission goals.

The goals themselves revolve around a 33 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions per vehicle “from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase” by 2030.

“I firmly believe the fight against climate change and how we use resources will decide the future of our society – and of the BMW Group,” Mr Zipse said.

“As a premium car company, it is our ambition to lead the way in sustainability. That is why we are taking responsibility here and now and making these issues central to our future strategic direction.

“This new strategic direction will be anchored in all divisions – from administration and purchasing to development and production, all the way to sales. We are taking sustainability to the next level.”

BMW is set to launch four new EVs by the end of next year – iX3 and iNext SUVs, i4 sedan and next generation 7 Series – with the new electric 5 Series and X1 likely to be released within that shared timeframe, although no concrete details have been given.

As it stands today, there is just one all-electric offering in local BMW showrooms – the i3 city car – and only two in the wider BMW Group, the other being the recently launched Mini Cooper SE.

The BMW plug-in hybrid line-up meanwhile consists of the 330e, 530e, 745e and X5 45e while the Mini Countryman S E ALL4 PHEV takes the group count to five.

According to a BMW Australia, the local line-up is all about offering drivers the best line-up possible with the best range of different powertrains, meaning the BEV 5 Series and X1 should make it Down Under in line with the 2023 goal.

“The advent of new electrified models in the future perfectly complements our Power of Choice strategy, where we aim to give customers the opportunity to purchase a particular model with either a petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid or full electric drive system to suit their needs and lifestyles,” a spokesperson said.

BMW has shifted 1597 X1s so far this year ending June, making it the brand’s third best-selling car behind the bigger X3 (2075) and 3 Series (1873).

The more expensive 5 Series did not enjoy the same level of success with 382 sales but that was enough to give it segment honours within the $70,000+ large car market, occupying 37.9 per cent of the class’ total sales.