Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW accelerates its electrification strategy

A fleet of hybrid and electric BMWs will now be on the market by 2023

BMW i4 - exclusive image Avarvarii

BMW has announced that it intends to bring forward its electrification plans. The previous strategy, which would involve the release of 12 plug-in vehicles by 2025, will see those hybrid and fully electric vehicles now hit the market by 2023.

The move to bring the fleet of models forward two years is made possible, according to BMW, by its flexible vehicle architecture. This means that in such models, only the bulkhead is fixed; behind and ahead of that, varying structures are able to accommodate combustion engines, battery packs, or a combination of the two.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Best electric cars on sale

Of those 12 vehicles, over half will be fully electric. Among those will be a replacement for the BMW i3, the MINI electric, and further down the line, the BMW i4, and the iNEXT.

Plug-in hybrid models will be either introduced as new models or revisions of existing cars, too. Updated versions of both the BMW 5 Series and 2 Series Active Tourer plug-in models, due to be revealed later in the summer, will gain increased electric-only ranges, while further down the line, plug-in variants of the BMW X1 and the 3 Series Touring.

Speaking in Munich, Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said: “We are moving up a gear in the transformation towards sustainable mobility, thereby making our company fit for the future: Over the past two years, we have consistently taken numerous decisions that we are now bringing to the roads. By 2021, we will have doubled our sales of electrified vehicles compared with 2019.”

Are you looking forward to seeing more electric BMW's? Let us know in the comments below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Chief reviewer

Alex joined Auto Express as staff writer in early 2018, helping out with news, drives, features, and the occasional sports report. His current role of Chief reviewer sees him head up our road test team, which gives readers the full lowdown on our comparison tests.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
New cars coming soon header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
23 Jun 2025
BMW is killing carbon fibre to build its lightweight M cars from plants
Sustainable BMW carbon fibre replacement roof

BMW is killing carbon fibre to build its lightweight M cars from plants

Developed in collaboration a Swedish clean-tech firm, natural fibres are said to be just as strong and lightweight as carbon alternatives, plus more s…
News
19 Jun 2025
New BMW Concept Speedtop is an ultra-rare shooting brake with looks to die for
BMW Concept Speedtop - front

New BMW Concept Speedtop is an ultra-rare shooting brake with looks to die for

Couldn’t get on the shortlist for the BMW Skytop? Here’s the hard-top version – but only 70 will be made
News
23 May 2025
Ultra-exclusive BMW Skytop spotted on the road for the first and possibly last time
BMW Skytop - front 3/4

Ultra-exclusive BMW Skytop spotted on the road for the first and possibly last time

Only 50 examples of the elegant V8-powered two-seater will be made, each costing approximately £500,000, and they’ve all been sold
News
16 May 2025

Most Popular

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught
Skoda Epiq vRS exclusive image

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught

Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
News
27 Jun 2025
Marcos is back! British sportscar brand’s big plan, and swirling controversy
Marcos, interior

Marcos is back! British sportscar brand’s big plan, and swirling controversy

Development is already underway on the first all-new Marcos cars in roughly 20 years
News
27 Jun 2025
Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025