Guide to BMW EVs

Vertu logo
Sophie McMillanAutomotive Correspondent
a range of brand new bmws in a line at a car showcase
a range of brand new bmws in a line at a car showcase

Founded in 1916 as an aircraft manufacturer, Bayerische Motoren Werke or BMW, went on to produce some of the most iconic cars and bikes in the world, and earn their place in motorsport history.

BMW have cemented their reputation as a leader in premium, performance-driven cars, focused on serving drivers who want a thrilling driving experience within a luxurious cabin.

In recent years, BMW has made significant strides into electric mobility through the dedicated “i” range and adaptation of popular ICE models into EVs, while ensuring that the highly sought-after, driver-focused BMW experience is not abandoned. 

Whether you’re looking for a luxuriously plush motorway cruise or you prefer a sleek saloon that can tackle a B-road, BMW’s electric range at Vertu is ever expanding to accommodate you.

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BMW i4 M60 xDrive

In sleek ‘Gran Coupé’ style, the BMW i4 M60 commands space on the road with its streamlined, athletic appearance.

Lower and more aerodynamic than your typical electric SUV, the i4 M60 slides effortlessly along motorways and in relative silence, but this doesn’t mean it isn’t powerful.

With up to an unbelievable 601bhp and easily advancing 0-62 in 3.7 seconds, this rather handsome EV makes for a stylish and exhilarating ride.

And with a zero regenerative braking mode, the car makes it easy to adopt a typical combustion engine driving style, making it far easier to adapt when moving from an older car to an EV.

BMW i4 M60 xDrive Specifications

81.1kWh Battery

Type

Gran Coupe / Fastback

Seats

5

Trims

Standard

Powertrain

Electric

Power

601bhp

0-62mph

3.7 seconds

Range (WLTP)

up to 338 miles

CO2

0

Recharge time 10-80%

30 minutes

Boot Space

470-litres

Euro NCAP rating

4 Stars

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BMW i5 eDrive 40M sport saloon

Another electric antidote to those who are on the fence about switching from combustion engines – the i5 is a smart and capable motorway car, running quietly and holding you in luxurious comfort.

The interior is well considered - from electrically adjusting seats, customisable lumbar support and even a felt-lined glove box to avoid your items rattling around, the i5 is a comfortable place to be, even for the longest journeys.

Despite being a sleeker saloon, the car still has a boot capacity of 490 litres, with a large opening for ease of loading, making it a justifiable choice for the whole family or as a company car.

BMW i5 eDrive 40 M Sport Touring

The Touring version of the i5 is an electric estate car, making it refreshingly unique and even more practical.

The i5 Touring has a big boot at 570 litres, with a square load area that makes utilising that space far easier. The boot also contains netted pockets to help organise your things or keep charging cables out of the way of luggage.

For those who want BMW’s signature rear-wheel-drive and sporty dynamics with wagon practicality, the Touring versions are the perfect combination of the two, with the added functionality of modern EV technology.

BMW i5 eDrive 40M Sport Specifications

81.2kWh Battery

81.2kWh Battery

Type

Saloon

Touring

Seats

5

5

Trims

Standard Saloon, Sport, Sport Pro, Sport Edition

Standard Touring, Sport, Sport Pro, Sport Edition

Powertrain

Electric

Electric

Power

340bhp

340bhp

0-62mph

6 seconds

6.1 seconds

Range WLTP

up to 384 miles

up to 370 miles

CO2

0

0

Recharge time 10-80%

30 minutes

30 minutes

Boot Space

490-litres

570-litres

EuroNCAP Rating

5 Stars

5 Stars

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BMW i5 M60 xDrive Saloon

In a world where SUVs are king, more executive saloons are a welcome sight. The i5 M60 is a gorgeous, all-wheel drive EV for those looking for an executive and exclusive car.

With 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds, fantastic grip and corner-hugging handling, the M60 is for those wanting an amazing driving experience. For those who would also prefer a Rear Wheel Drive, the eDrive40 version is perfect.

A boost paddle is placed temptingly behind the wheel, giving you a burst of power for 10 seconds, perfect for nailing an overtake or just adding a bit of fun to the experience.

The long bonnet gives the car a classy, sophisticated air, and overall, the car’s design seems to be one of BMW's most loved out of the current range.

BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring       

If you’re tempted by the i5 saloon but wish it came as an estate, you’re in luck.

The BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring is the brand's high-performance electric estate. It combines the practicality of a wagon with the sports-car-rivalling dynamics, delivering 601 bhp, all-wheel drive, and a 0–62 mph time of a ridiculous 3.9 seconds.

With 570 litres of boot space, AND a top speed of 143 miles per hour, is there really much more you could ask for?

BMW i5 M60 xDrive Specifications

81.2kWh Battery

81.2kWh Battery

Type

Saloon

Touring

Seats

5

5

Trims

Standard Saloon, Sport, Sport Pro, Sport Edition

Standard Touring, Sport Pro, Sport Edition

Powertrain

Electric

Electric

Power

601bhp

601bhp

0-62mph

3.8 seconds

3.9 seconds

Range WLTP

up to 331 miles

up to 321 miles

CO2

0

0

Recharge time 10-80%

30 minutes

30 minutes

Boot Space

490-litres

570-litres

EuroNCAP Rating

5 Stars

5 Stars

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BMW i7 60 xDrive Saloon

If you’re after something truly eye-catching, ultra-luxury, all-electric, the BMW i7 60 xDrive is as close to being chauffeur-driven as you can be without hiring one.

With finely tuned driving dynamics, thanks to the adaptive 2-axle air suspension, as well as steering assistance, lane keeping, braking and parking assists, all worries are taken out of your hands.

There is also the option of automatically opening and closing doors, which naturally adds to the chauffeur-driven feeling.

You also have optional additional feature packs, including a fold-down theatre screen in the back seats with the Rear Comfort Pack, to pair neatly with your heated, cooled and massaging seats.

Although it retains a strong and confident stance, it is equally as aerodynamic as the likes of the i4 and even the Tesla Model S, and boasts up to 449 miles of WLTP range.

BMW i7 60 xDrive M Sport Specifications

112.5kWh Battery

Type

Saloon

Seats

5

Trims

M Sport, M Sport Pro, Ultimate Edition

Powertrain

Electric

Power

544bhp

0-62mph

4.8 seconds

Range (WLTP)

up to 449 miles

CO2

0

Recharge time 10-80%

28 minutes

Boot Space

500-litres

Euro NCAP rating


Untested

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 BMW i7 M70 xDrive Saloon

The BMW i7 M70 xDrive is the brand’s ultra-luxury performance saloon, producing a mind-blowing 650bhp and climbing from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds.

While the i7 60 is perfect for those wanting relaxed, executive cruising, BMW promise that this i7 M70 provides a high-performance drive, thrilling even the most experienced drivers.

The i7 M70 is the most powerful production electric vehicle in BMW's lineup - it includes M-specific suspension tuning, four-wheel steering, and by-brake torque vectoring for sharper, sportier cornering.

With 680bhp and 1,015Nm of torque, the i7 M70 is a thrilling drive guaranteed.

BMW i7 M70 xDrive Specifications

112.4kWh Battery

Type

Saloon

Seats

5

Trims

Standard, Ultimate Edition

Powertrain

Electric

Power

680bhp

0-62mph

3.8 seconds

Range (WLTP)

up to 426 miles

CO2

0

Recharge time 10-80%

28 minutes

Boot Space

500-litres

Euro NCAP rating

Untested

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BMW iX M70 xDrive

The BMW iX M70 xDrive is the SUV crossover equivalent of the i7 M70 saloon, giving you ultra-luxury performance with extra ride height and even more practicality.

With up to 500 litres of luggage space, the plush cabin, and all the performance of the saloon, it makes a very tempting offer for those who want more space for family but don’t want to shed the luxurious treatment.

BMW iX M70 xDrive Specifications

108.9kWh Battery

Type

SUV

Seats

5

Trims

Standard

Powertrain

Electric

Power

659bhp

0-62mph

3.5 seconds

Range (WLTP)

up to 365 miles

CO2

0

Recharge time 10-80%

35 minutes

Boot Space

500-litres

Euro NCAP rating

5 Stars

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BMW iX xDrive 60 M Sport

Since the iX xDrive is a dedicated EV, rather than a converted petrol car, it has a cabin layout that offers much more space and a flatter floor than a similarly sized petrol, diesel or hybrid car.

The cabin room in the iX is impressive, fitting five six-foot passengers easily, with plenty of head and legroom. Passengers can also enjoy a large glovebox, wireless phone charging pads, USB-C sockets, assorted cupholders and several cubbies.

The boot (with a handy space beneath the floor for charging cables) offers 500 litres of space, which increases to a whopping 1,750-litres with the rear seats folded. The rear seats can also be dropped by pressing buttons on the wall of the boot, making things a lot easier when your hands are full.

BMW iX xDrive 60M Specifications

109.1kWh Battery

Type

Large SUV

Seats

5

Trims

Standard

Powertrain

Electric

Power

544bhp

0-62mph

4.6 seconds

Range (WLTP)

up to 426 miles

CO2

0

Recharge time 10-80%

35 minutes

Boot Space

500-litres

Euro NCAP rating

5 Stars

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BMW ix1 eDrive 20 Sport

The iX1 is an excellent all-rounder - a practical, safe and cost-effective family car. More of a compact SUV, it is better suited for those living in tighter, more urban areas and is the all-electric version of BMW’s X1 petrol-powered SUV.

For reference, with a length of 4.5 metres, it takes up the same amount of space as a Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage or VW Tiguan, but with the added bonus of BMW’s precise steering, smooth power delivery and overall driving style.

The iX1 scored the full five stars when crash-tested by Euro NCAP in its official tests, scoring particularly well in the child and adult occupant criteria (86% and 89%, respectively), while the safety assistance result came in at 92%.

The iX1 also has a 490-litre boot, rising up to 1,495-litres with the rear seats down, making it perfect for a push chair or plenty of luggage during day-to-day commutes, as well as the occasional flat-pack furniture trip. (Complete data for the newest model not available at the time of writing)

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BMW iX2 xDrive 30 M Sport

The BMW iX2 xDrive 30 M Sport is a fully electric, sporty coupé-SUV that combines the aggressive, aerodynamic styling of a fastback with dual-motor all-wheel drive. Perfect for those wanting a higher ride height and SUV practicality without a boxy look.

Offering up a WLTP combined range of up to 295 miles, it delivers that highly dynamic, classic BMW driving experience while being practical enough for everyday use.

There is the option for BMW’s “Iconic Glow” on the kidney grille, with light accentuating its distinctive look whether you’re stationary or on the move. With options like this and the unique coupe-style roofline, the iX2 is undoubtedly an eye-catching option.

There is also the iX2 20 M Sport available for those who would prefer a Front Wheel Drive. (Complete data for the newest model not available at the time of writing)

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BMW iX3 50 xDrive

Distinctive, high-range and enjoyable to drive, the iX3 50 xDrive is a practical bet for families and provides plenty of tech to help you out on your day-to-day trips, as well as the longer ones.

Impressively, the iX3 can park itself in bays and parallel spaces - you can even park it remotely from an app on your phone, making it handy for gaps too tight to get out of the car. Of course, you can also summon it out of said space upon your return.

All versions of the BMW iX3 come with a 108kWh battery, and BMW claims it’ll do up to 500 miles WLTP between charges, as well as going from 10-80% in just 21 minutes at a fast-charging point – perfect timing for the coffee queue at Wetherby services.

For those with families, it is important to note that the BMW iX3 does not hold its own independent Euro NCAP rating, but it inherits a maximum 5-star safety rating from its combustion-engined sibling, the BMW X3.

BMW i4 M60 xDrive Specifications

108.7kWh Battery

Type

SUV

Seats

5

Trims

Standard, M Sport, M Sport Pro

Powertrain

Electric

Power

469bhp

0-62mph

4.9 seconds

Range (WLTP)

up to 500 miles

CO2

0

Recharge time 10-80%

21 minutes

Boot Space

520-litres

Euro NCAP rating

Untested

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