BMW commits to ICE as rivals go electric

Tuesday, 23 March 2021

BMW's Model 3 competitor has been revealed. Meet the i4.

BMW’s CEO has confirmed that the internal combustion engine (ICE) still has life left in it at the Bavarian carmaker.

According to CNBC's Phil LeBeau, Oliver Zipse says his company “has no plans to stop developing internal combustion engines”. He added that the decision came 'because demand for ICE vehicles will remain robust for many years to come.'

Despite this, BMW’s latest company targets include a goal for fully electric models accounting for at least 50 per cent of global deliveries by 2030. EVs will be available across “around 90 per cent” of current market segments by 2023 – a figure that includes Mini’s models as well, which is set to become an all-electric brand by the early 2030s.

Big V8s like what powers the X5 M might be on the way out but combustion will continue at BMW for the foreseeable future.

First up will be the iX SUV and i4 Gran Coupe, both due this year, followed by fully electric versions of the 5 Series, X1 and 7 Series. The Mini Countryman will also get an electric variant.

**READ MORE:

The big chunky iX is the other new electric BMW on its way.

* Quick Charge 20/03: this week in EV news

* Audi to end development of new combustion engines

Audi has cancelled all new combustion engines, but will continue to develop existing units.

* BMW cutting combustion powertrains in half

Zipse made the statement last week, after Audi’s boss, Markus Duesmann, revealed it is no longer working on new combustion engines.

Duesmann said “it will be a “huge technical challenge” to update its existing combustion engine for the stricter Euro 7 emissions standards, despite thinking the environment actually has little to benefit from the cleaner engines.

Audi’s move will affect the wider Volkswagen Group. When the group released its 2019 financial results, it named Audi as its leader of research and development. With the Four Rings brand ditching future combustion engines in favour of electricity, other Volkswagon Group brands will likely be forced to follow suit.

The Euro 7 emissions rules don’t kick in until 2025 so there’s a good amount of time before we see a fully electric Audi range. Audi will certify its current crop of combustion engines for Euro 7 which gives it plenty of time for electrical R&D.

Interestingly, 2025 is when BMW’s ‘Neue Klasse’ phase begins, which will see its models characterised by three key aspects: a “completely redefined” software architecture, a new generation of high-performance electric drivetrains and batteries as well as a “radically” new approach to sustainability across the entire vehicle life cycle.

That approach to sustainability is yet to be detailed, but BMW confirmed it will involve a new type of EV battery, as well as a “distinct option” of a hydrogen fuel cell mode.

“We are intent on ensuring that the 'greenest' electric car on the market is made by BMW,” said Zipse.

BMW’s combustion-powered cars will emit 40 per cent less carbon per kilometre by 2030 as well.

It will also switch to renewable energy sources for its production processes as well as those within the supply chain and recycle secondary materials like steel, plastic and aluminium more in its models.