BMW’s M Division is gearing up for a major shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) in the coming years, with the expectation that sales of battery-electric vehicles will eventually outstrip those of combustion engine cars.
According to a graphic shared by BMW M boss Frank van Meel at the recent press launch of the M2 and XM, the proportion of plug-in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles sold by the company will increase steadily over the next few years. By 2027, around half of M’s sales are expected to come from electrified models, rising to over 80% by 2029 and 2030.
BMW M currently has two EVs on the market – the i4 M50 and iX M60 – with two more, the i7 M70 and i5 M60, set to launch this year. A second, more powerful M version of the i4 is also in development, featuring four electric motors instead of the current two. Despite the company’s reputation for producing high-performance vehicles geared towards driving enthusiasts, the i4 M50 was BMW M’s best-selling model last year, with 177,257 vehicles sold.
See also: BMW M Testing 4-motor electric drivetrain On i4 M50-Based Prototype
As BMW M prepares to release more EVs in the coming years, it remains to be seen how traditionalists will react to the company’s shift towards electrification. However, with the success of the i4 M50 and the promise of even more powerful EVs in the future, it seems that BMW M is well-positioned to meet the demands of an evolving market.
