Electric Mini and BMW X3 Are a Go, Says CEO

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

An electric Mini? There’s a weak Austin Powers joke in there somewhere, maybe, but that movie (alarmingly) came out 19 years ago.

After teasing the possibility earlier this year, BMW CEO Harald Krüger confirmed an all-electric Mini will arrive in 2019, Bloomberg reports. Krüger claims a Mini EV, as well as an electric version of the compact X3 crossover, is needed to keep up with the company’s German rivals.

Mercedes-Benz unveiled its electric Generation EQ concept vehicle at the Paris Auto Show this week, while Volkswagen pulled the wraps off its I.D. concept EV. Both rival automakers plan an extensive lineup of EVs riding atop a dedicated modular platform, with the first new models going on sale by 2020.

BMW’s future product plans call for seven EVs grouped under its “i” sub-brand, but these models would stand alone, showing the company’s ability to make “normal” EVs. Unlike the EQ and I.D., the electric Mini and X3 would be conventional vehicles converted to battery power. It remains to be seen how much range BMW can draw from batteries shoehorned into the two models.

If the market for upmarket EVs ends up being soft, BMW can blame its competitors for fueling this EV race. For now, Bimmer simply wants to keep up.

The electric X3 will follow the Mini EV in 2020, Krüger said. Both models will offer “competitive” pricing and range, he added.

[Images: BMW Group]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • White Shadow White Shadow on Sep 30, 2016

    What is the market for EVs these days? Seriously, is anyone really buying these things? Other than all the Tesla hype, does anyone really care?

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    • HotPotato HotPotato on Oct 04, 2016

      @mcs As range increases and public chargers proliferate, people won't need a garage and an outlet anymore. We have a garage parking space and a regular 120 volt outlet for our Fiat 500e. A typical workday's driving with commute and errands uses maybe half its range. We drive it home, plug it in, and it's fully charged by morning. On the occasions we do more distance, there's inevitably a 240 volt charger wherever we're having lunch or buying clothes or whatever. Range anxiety has been an issue exactly once: when the idiot dealer forgot to charge the car before handing us the keys for the first time. We're looking at replacing our other car with a Bolt---even though we don't have another garage space or outdoor outlet at home---because there's free charging at my work and my wife's work, and low-cost public charging at city parking lots all around our downtown neighborhood. We want the DC fast charging option for the novelty of being able to take the car on long road trips if desired, but chances are the option won't be used much. It's not true everywhere, but in many areas people drive less than they think, have access to more chargers than they think, and don't need their car to recharge as fast as they think.

  • FreedMike FreedMike on Sep 30, 2016

    "Electric Mini". Is this a car blog or a sex toy site?

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    • @RHD Manufactured in Cowley, England, and engineered in Germany, the modern and versatile Clubman can be used comfortably by up to four adults at the same time.

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