The BMW iX3 has received an official driving range of 571 miles (919 kilometers) in China, exceeding BMW’s earlier estimate for the long-wheelbase electric SUV. The new figure, published by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), is based on the country’s CLTC testing cycle and highlights the differences between global EV range standards.
China Rating Surpasses BMW’s Earlier Estimate
BMW previously stated that the China-specific long-wheelbase iX3 would deliver up to 559 miles (900 kilometers) of driving range on a single charge.
According to the official MIIT certification, the electric SUV is now rated at 571 miles (919 kilometers) under the CLTC testing cycle. Because the CLTC standard is more lenient than other testing methods, real-world driving results may differ from the official rating.
Different Testing Standards Produce Different Results
The new China rating stands well above the figures published for other markets using different testing procedures.
In Europe and other regions that follow the WLTP test cycle, BMW says the second-generation iX3 can travel up to 500 miles (805 kilometers) on a full charge.
For the United States, the company estimates an EPA range of 434 miles (698 kilometers). In Brazil, where one of the industry’s strictest EV testing procedures is used, the iX3 is officially rated at 354 miles (570 kilometers).
BMW Demonstrated the SUV’s Efficiency in Endurance Test
BMW has already completed an endurance challenge with the electric SUV to demonstrate its efficiency.
During the test, the iX3 covered more than 497 miles (800 kilometers) without recharging while completing the Qinghai Lake loop. The vehicle departed from Xining, returned to its starting point, and finished with 2% battery charge remaining.
BMW estimated that if the battery had been fully depleted, the SUV could have traveled up to 522 miles (840 kilometers).
Battery and Energy Consumption Details
During the endurance drive, the iX3 50L xDrive recorded an average energy consumption of 12.6 kWh per 62 miles (100 kilometers).
For comparison, MIIT officially rates the Neue Klasse SUV at an average energy consumption of 13.6 kWh/100 km.
The long-wheelbase iX3 sold in China is equipped with a sixth-generation battery pack using round cells and offers 108.7 kWh of usable battery capacity.
Long-Wheelbase iX3 Expands Beyond China
Although developed for China, the long-wheelbase BMW iX3 will not remain exclusive to that market.
BMW has confirmed the model will also be offered in India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
BMW Looks Ahead to the Long-Wheelbase iX5
BMW has also projected a CLTC driving range of up to 621 miles (1,000 kilometers) for the newly unveiled long-wheelbase iX5.
The company has not yet disclosed the battery capacity of that model. However, the standard iX5 already features BMW’s largest battery pack installed in an electric vehicle, providing 141 kWh of usable energy.
BMW is also expected to launch the iX7 next year, which is likely to feature a similarly large battery and driving range.
