BMW i-4 is Coming. Soon we will be Spoilt for Choice when Buying an EV

Not many years ago if you wished to drive an electric car you had few models to whet your appetite. In the year 2001 you could buy the world's first mass produced EV the Ford Think built in Norway. This is launch day in Edinburgh which I delivered for Ford.

Or, you could pick the Nissan Leaf, a Mitsubishi Mi-ev, a Renault Zoe or the Chevy Bolt. Then BMW introduced it's all new i-brand with a fresh new take on the EV concept. The look and design concept of BMW i-3 and BMW i-8 presented stunning new vehicle choices with innovative engineering, roadability performance and aesthetics.

Now almost every global automotive OEM has plans to introduce a whole myriad of electric models as country after country legislates to ban the unbridled use of ICE vehicles as part of their efforts to mitigate climate change and limit CO2 emissions.

Tesla got off to a fast start with it's Model S which employed a unique battery system which delivered greatly enhanced range versus the market. Tesla offers a cool driver interface and super fast recharging but it is an expensive car.

Now it has a more affordable alternative to it's premium priced S model, with the arrival at long last of the much heralded Model 3 with it's 220 miles range an affordable price tag of $35,000.

Tesla also pioneered the electric SUV with it's dramatic Falcon winged doors

I currently drive a hybrid BMW 300e which has a petrol bi-turbo two litre petrol engine up front and an electric drive-train in the rear. I love her to bits but she looks just like any other BMW 3 Series car. This was my "Bluebird" on the day I picked her up from the show-room.

But now BMW is offering in the i-4 a vehicle that is an EV but one which to me really looks like a cool electric car, practical and futuristic. These new generation of electric models from BMW, Mercedes, VW, Audi and Porsche amongst other will pose a real threat to Tesla with their stunning looks and next generation batteries which deliver practical battery range. So much so that future US versions of the i-3 will be offered without the optional petrol range extender.

Let me quote here from electrek, " When unveiling the concept last year, BMW claimed a series of specs like a 600 km range (373 miles, but they were likely referencing NEDC numbers, which means that’s a lot closer to ~300 miles EPA), top speed of over 124mph (200km/h) and 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in four seconds.

The vehicle is planned for production in 2021, but BMW is already significantly investing in the production program.The German automaker announced a new 200 million euros investment in Munich this week:

“The BMW Group is investing around 200 million euros in the Munich plant to expand its electric mobility. This is the start of preparations for series production of the BMW i4, which will be manufactured at the company’s headquarters starting in 2021. The plant with its approximately 8,000 employees is taking the decisive step towards the production site for all-electric vehicles and mobility concepts of the future. Thus, both cars with internal combustion engines and plug-in hybrids and purely battery-powered vehicles will be on the same line in Munich in the future.”

For me, we are now entering an age when world auto OEMs are really offering a diverse enough range of electric cars to suit most pockets and tastes, but I must admit I am personally smitten by the look and concept of the BMW i-4. I can not wait to swap my BMW 300e for an i-4! Same colour but a whole new design vibe. Bring her on BMW.