BMW: 1000km driving range is plenty for an EV

"We won’t go over 1000km of range, even though we can."

The BMW range will be reinvented in 2025 with the introduction of its ‘Neue Klasse’ (New Class) platform, promising up to 1000km driving range from a charge.

In the here and now, BMW’s longest-range EV sold in Australia is the 2023 iX xDrive50, with 505km range (WLTP).

BMW says its upcoming ‘Gen6’ batteries will be more energy dense, allowing a longer driving range without increasing the physical size or weight of the battery pack.

Speaking with British publication Autocar BMW’s head of Efficient Dynamics, Thomas Albrecht, said: “Gen6 batteries will give us 30 per cent or more range than our current Gen5, but we won’t go over 1000km of range, even though we can.

“We don’t think that such a long range is necessary.”

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Are BMW’s batteries different inside?

BMW is initially sourcing its new batteries from Chinese battery-manufacturing specialist CATL.

The batteries use cylindrical cells that are slimmer than current ‘Gen5’ items and will form an integral part of the vehicle’s structure. Aside from greater energy density, the slimmer shape means greater adaptability.

Head of battery cell development Marie-Therese von Srbik said: “We will be much more flexible with how we integrate the cell. The whole vehicle is becoming more adaptive towards that.”

Inside, the Gen6 items are said to employ a chemistry unique to BMW with a lower reliance on hard-to-mine Cobalt.

Peugeot’s recently unveiled e-308 hatch and wagon also use a battery chemistry with lower reliance on cobalt, codenamed ‘NMC811’.

BMW has indicated the new battery tech will also be able to support ultra rapid charging, potentially with 270kW speeds to trouble Porsche’s Taycan and Audi’s e-tron.

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How will Gen6 batteries affect BMW’s future?

As part of BMW’s electric reinvention, the ‘Neue Klasse’ platform will debut in 2025, able to support everything from small 2 Series coupe-sized vehicle to the X7 three-row SUV.

Reports suggest the first BMW to sit on the new platform will be an all-electric 3 Series sized vehicle.

The latest revelation that Gen6 batteries will be able to deliver up to 1000km WLTP range from a charge could mean a new 3 Series would offer twice the driving range of the 470km i4 eDrive40.