BMW's Massive Response To Tesla Is Coming Soon

Right now, the only fully electric model in BMW's lineup is theBMW i3, which has been on sale since 2013, but this will soon change as the Bavarian automaker prepares to rapidly expand its EV lineup and catch up with the competition. According to Autocar, BMW is planning to launch as many as nine new electric cars as part of its 'Power of Choice' sustainability plan.

As part of this plan, the Bavarian automaker aims to sell more than seven million plug-in hybrid and pure-electric vehicles by the end of 2030. To date, BMW Group has sold more than 500,000 electrified models across the BMW and Mini brands, but this figure is expected to double by the end of 2021 with new electric and plug-in hybrid model launches. As well as meeting tougher emission targets, these new model launches will enable BMW to compete with rival premium electric cars from the likes of Audi, Jaguar, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and Tesla.

Within the next ten years, BMW expects to sell 4.6 million fully electric vehicles - that's an average of 460,000 per year and a huge increase considering it sold 42,249 last year, although these were all i3 models.

So, which electric models can we expect to join BMW's i family within the next ten years? Some models have already been confirmed, but there are a few surprises. Following its debut in July, theBMW iX3will go on sale in summer 2021, followed by the Model 3-rivallingBMW i4and the production version of the BMW iNext, which will reportedly be called the iX and offer up to 460 miles of range. Replacing the i3 will be an electric version of theBMW X1crossover called the iX1 that will rival the Volkswagen ID.3, while the i5 andi7will be based on the next-generation 5 Series and 7 Series sedans. The former will be an electric sedan rivaling the production Volkswagen ID Vizzion and the Mercedes-Benz EQE.