BMW is striking back at Tesla and Mercedes with at least 2 new electric cars
BMW is doubling down in the electric car space by committing to at least two new electric vehicles by 2020.
The German automaker is planning to roll out an electric version of the BMW X3 SUV and a battery powered Mini Cooper, Bloomberg first reported on Friday. The Mini is expected to become available in 2019 and the X3 is slated for 2020.
According to a report from the German publication Handelsblatt, the company could also be planning to launch and electric version of its BMW 3 Series sedan and an electric BMW X4 crossover in a similar time frame.
BMW is no stranger to the electric car space. The company launched its i3 electric car in 2013 and has released several plug-in hybrid models. But with competition in the EV space growing, BMW is looking to ramp up its offerings to stay competitive, especially when it comes to range.
Tesla plans to launch its $35,000 Model 3, which will have a range of 215 miles on a full charge, by the end of 2017. BMW's i3 has a range of only 114 miles on a full charge without the extender, and 180 miles with the extender.
But BMW doesn't just have to worry about Tesla. Luxury automakers across the board are diving head first into the EV market and planning to launch battery-powered vehicles with similar ranges before the end of the decade.
For example, last week at the Paris Motor Show, Mercedes revealed its first all-electric SUV concept called the Generation EQ. The production version of the EQ will roll out in 2019 and will boast a range greater than 250 miles per charge, the company said.
Volkswagen, which plans to launch 30 electrified vehicles by 2025, also showed off its battery powered concept car called the ID at the show and announced that a production version will arrive in 2020.
Audi, Porsche, Volvo and other automakers are all also planning on launching all-electric cars with a range of 200 miles or more during the next four years.
The range for the Mini and the X3 have not yet been revealed, but considering its competition all comes in around 200 miles to 300 miles per charge, it's likely we'll see a similar range from BMW's upcoming vehicles.
BMW did not respond immediately to request for comment.