• BMW i5 to launch in end-2023, with wagon variant too
• BMW Group is well ahead of its CO2 reduction, says it is more resillient than BEV-only start-ups from USA (Tesla?) and Asia
• Hydrogen FCEV tech is further behind BEV, but first hydrogen model could join Neue Klasse xEV range in 2026 – BEV and FCEV to be two feet for BMW’s future

After doubling its global sales of battery EV (BEV) models to over 215,000 units last year, the BMW Group expects BEVs to contribute 15 percent of its total group-wide sales this year. The company’s fleet-wide CO2 emission is now down to 105 g/km, well ahead of its 127.5 g/km target.

CEO Oliver Zipse pledged that by 2024, one in every 5 BMW Group vehicles sold will be a BEV, one if every 4 by 2025, and one in every three by 2026.

BMW’s next BEV model launch will be the BMW i5, which will be launched by end-2023. A wagon variant will also follow.

Despite the big focus in BEVs, Zipse alluded that BMW will not abandon combustion engines or other zero emission alternatives to be a BEV-only company, emphasizing that the company’s focus is on operational excellence in the “here and now,” pointing the fact that the company is doing better than many BEV-only start-ups.

“We know we can handle complexity. We can pivot quickly if the situation requires – and that makes the company more resilient than ever. On the other hand, we consistently maintain our course for the future, realising our goals with determination,” said Zipese at the BMW Group Annual Conference 2023 earlier this week.

“With our strong BEV growth, we are leaving established competitors far behind – not to mention many of the BEV-only manufacturers from the US and Asia who are new to the market. This is true both in absolute terms and in terms of our growth dynamic. And we continue to up the pace. Demand remains strong,” said Zipse.

“We are pressing ahead with our BEV ramp-up. At the same time, we remain true to our broad technological approach. Why? Because we don’t want to miss out on any market potential – and this is the only way to effectively contribute to climate protection in all markets. It is also the only way we can continue to take different customer needs in the regions and markets into account,” he added.

On hydrogen fuel cells, the CEO said, “We believe that the mobility of the future also needs more than one leg to stand on, in addition to battery-electric drivetrains. We see hydrogen-electric vehicles as a meaningful complement to e-mobility – even if with something of a time lag. Hydrogen has a lot of potential. Globally and across all industries we are already on the way to becoming a hydrogen society. At BMW, we could even envision a production vehicle in the second half of this decade. Hydrogen could also be a possible drive technology for the Neue Klasse going forward. Technologically, we are ready.”

BMW wants diversity not only in its future powertrain, but also in sourcing for BEV parts, likely to be a result of recent events in Ukraine and trade conflict between China and the West.

“At the moment, we are manufacturing high-voltage batteries for our current electric models in Germany and in China, at our Shenyang location.

“Debrecen in Hungary, San Luis Potosí in Mexico and Woodruff will complete this network for the sixth generation of battery technology in the future. This “local for local” approach enables us to secure our BEV ramp-up in individual regions of the world and significantly increase our resilience to unforeseen events. Our world is diverse and individual at the same time,” said Zipse.