BMW 5 Series and X1 also go electric

German manufacturer BMW will offer an all-electric 5-Series sedan as part of its emission reduction plan. The current version of the BMW X1 crossover will receive a similar update.

The goal set by the BMW Group is to have at least 10 million electrified vehicles on the road within 7 years, half of which must be purely electric. By 2023, the concern will offer 25 "green" models, and 50% of them will be fully electric.

The new X1 and 5-Series will be available with 4 powertrains - petrol with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, diesel, plug-in hybrid and electric. The X1 crossover will compete directly with the Tesla Model Y and Audi e-tron, while the 5 Series sedan will compete with the Tesla Model 3.

It is not yet clear when the two new Bavarian electric models will hit the market. However, by the end of 2021, the BMW Group will sell 5 pure electric vehicles - the BMW i3, i4, iX3 and iNext, as well as the Mini Cooper SE. In 2022, a new 7 Series will be released, which will also have an all-electric version.

The move to green cars is mainly driven by the entry into force of new European environmental standards. In 2021, emissions should be 40% lower than in 2007, and by 2030, manufacturers should achieve an additional 37,5% reduction in harmful emissions.