BMW says it remains committed to its goal of having fully electric vehicles account for half of its global sales by 2030, even after electric vehicle deliveries declined during the first half of 2026. The automaker continues expanding its battery-electric lineup across multiple segments as it works toward its long-term target.
BMW Continues Broad Powertrain Strategy
BMW has long offered customers a wide range of powertrain options, from 1.5-liter three-cylinder gasoline engines to plug-in hybrid V8s. In previous years, the company also sold M50d models powered by a quad-turbo inline-six diesel engine and the M760i equipped with a V12.
The BMW i3 was previously available with a range extender that used a motorcycle engine as a generator to recharge the battery. Looking ahead, the company is also planning to introduce a hydrogen-powered X5 in 2028.
Electric Vehicles Remain Central to BMW’s Future
Despite maintaining multiple powertrain technologies, BMW continues shifting toward battery-electric vehicles as emissions regulations drive broader EV adoption. The company has steadily expanded its “i” lineup in recent years.
Electric vehicles represented 4.1% of total BMW Group sales in 2021. By 2025, that figure had increased to 17.9%, reflecting growing adoption across the BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce brands.
EV Deliveries Declined During the First Half of 2026
BMW’s electric vehicle business faced a setback during the first six months of 2026. Demand fell 14.6% to 148,664 vehicles, representing 17.7% of total shipments across BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce.
Even with that decline, the company has not changed its objective of having one out of every two vehicles it sells be fully electric by the end of the decade.
BMW Plans an EV in Every Market Segment by 2030
BMW expects to offer an electric vehicle in every segment where it competes by 2030. Achieving a significant increase in the share of EV shipments will rely heavily on the rollout of the Neue Klasse family over the next four years.
The company points to encouraging early demand for the iX3 crossover, which is approaching 100,000 orders less than a year after going on sale in Europe.
The i3 sedan has also posted a strong start after BMW moved preorders forward by several months through the launch of a First Edition ahead of the originally planned fall debut.
The lineup now includes the first-ever iX5, while European customers are expected to receive the i3 Touring in 2027. BMW also plans to introduce the iX4 and i4 Convertible, although those models are expected to remain niche offerings.
Future EV Lineup Expands Across Price Segments
BMW’s larger electric vehicles, including the refreshed i7 and the iX7 scheduled for next year, are not expected to become high-volume models because of their premium pricing. The same is expected for the potential iX6, which is reportedly planned for 2028.
The 2027 Life Cycle Impulse update for the i5 lineup is expected to serve as another step toward the company’s 2030 electric vehicle target.
BMW also plans to strengthen its entry-level EV portfolio with the next-generation iX1 launching next year. The long-rumored i1 hatchback and i2 sedan are reportedly expected around 2028 and are set to become the most affordable BMW Group models outside the MINI Cooper “J01.”
BMW Keeps Focus on Its 2030 Electric Vehicle Target
While the remainder of the decade promises a broader electric vehicle lineup, BMW acknowledges that reaching a 50% EV sales share by 2030 will be challenging, particularly given the less favorable market conditions in China. Even so, the company continues to maintain its long-term electrification goal.
