The next step in BMW’s electrification plan is coming in the form of an all-electric 3-door MINI.
Set to start production in 2019, the new electric MMINI will fill out the lineup, which currently includes gas, diesel, and hybrid variants.
The MINI will be powered by an electric powertrain produced at BMW’s plants in Dingolfing and Landshut, where drivetrains for plug-in versions of 5 and 7 Series will also be produced starting in 2021. From there, it will be sent to Oxford where the rest of the MINI will be produced.
“BMW Group Plants Dingolfing and Landshut play a leading role within our global production network as the company’s global competence center for electric mobility,” said Oliver Zipse, BMW board member for Production. “Our adaptable production system is innovative and able to react rapidly to changing customer demand.”
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The electric MINI is just the next step in BMW’s NUMBER ONE>NEXT strategy, which the manufacturer said will eventually mean the option to electrify every model series from every brand it owns.
By 2025, BMW expects that electric and electrified vehicles will account for 15 percent to 25 percent of its sales, though it admits that regulations, incentives, and infrastructure could change that. To prepare for uncertainties in how quickly electric sales will rise, it says it has created a production network that can cope with the market.
“If required, we can increase production of electric drivetrain motor components quickly and efficiently, in line with market developments,” said Zipse.
BMW also plans to introduce the i8 Roadster in 2018, while the all-electric X3 will follow the MINI E in 2020. The BMW iNext will follow in 2021.
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