The All-Electric BMW iX SAV: The Complete Guide For India

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Electric Cars: The Basics

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For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

For those keen on an overview of the global electric vehicle (EV) market and the different types of electric vehicles (EVs), simply scroll down to the end of the article!

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The All-Electric BMW iX SAV

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BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG), is a leading global automotive manufacturer headquartered in Munich, Germany. BMW is well known for its portfolio of luxury vehicles, to include the famed Rolls-Royce luxury cars.

The group manufacturers a number of cars under its BMW brand, to include battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The BMW i3 EV is an excellent example of a successful pure electric car. The company currently has the following portfolio of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs):

• All-electric BMW iX3
• All-electric BMW iX1
• All-electric BMW iX2
• All-Electric BMW i5
• All-Electric BMW i7
• All-electric BMW iX
• All-electric BMW i4
• All-electric BMW i3

The BMW iX electric vehicle (EV) is the first all-electric Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) from the German automotive company. The all-new BMW iX EV includes the fifth generation BMW eDrive Technology. The pure electric SUV (SAV) concept vehicle was revealed at the 2018 Paris Motor Show as the Vision iNEXT.

The BMW Sports Activity Vehicle is available in two variants: the BMW iX xDrive40 and the BMW iX xDrive50. The range topping xDrive50 has a 111.5 kWh onboard EV battery, with a claimed zero-emission electric range up to 593 km.

Even accounting for the ‘real-world’ driving conditions, the electric vehicle should easily be able to deliver up to 500 km on a single charge. Ample range for most day-to-day needs and motorway driving. Moreover the variant has DC charging capability up to 195 kW and can be charged up to 80% in 35 minutes.

The entry-level BMW iX xDrive40 also delivers a decent pure electric range (claimed range up to 425 km). Expect a real-world range closer to 360 km. The EV offers DC charging up to 150 kW and can be charged up to 80% in 31 minutes. Both variants offer a three-phase onboard charger as standard.

Of course, most homes in India are powered by single-phase (7.4 kW) power supply, limiting the ability to leverage the 3-phase onboard charger. Using a dedicated home charger like zappi, the larger EV battery can be fully charged in 17 hours, while the smaller battery will take up to 12 hours. In any case, most electric cars are charged overnight at home. We at e-zoomed recommend a topping up strategy to EV charging. This way charging times can be reduced.

Four-wheel drive comes as standard for both the variants. The xDrive40 can achieve 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds (max power: 326 hp), while the xDrive50 does it in 4.6 seconds (max power: 385 hp). Impressive given the increased weight of the EV due to the onboard EV battery. Of course, pure electric cars also benefit from instant torque. Both variants have a top speed up to 200 km/h.

For many, the futuristic exterior styling of the BMW e-SUV will be appealing, however, for those keen on the ‘familiar’, it may not be as compelling. Having said that, the electric SUV does make a bold statement. The interior quality, technology and equipment levels are in line with the premium price tag of the EV. The iX also includes the ‘Sky Lounge’ end-to-end panoramic glass sunroof.

Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The BMW pure electric vehicle is available in India.

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PROS	CONS
Good electric range for top variant	The xDrive50 is expensive. Cheaper alternatives available
195 kW DC charging and 11 kW onboard charger	Entry-level variant limited to 150 kW DC charging
All-wheel drive as standard	Boot space limited (500 L)

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The All-Electric BMW iX SAV (credit: BMW)

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At A Glance
EV Type:	Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)
Vehicle Type:	Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
Engine:	Electric
Available In India:	Yes

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Trims (1 Option)
BMW iX xDrive40 (from Rs 1.18 Crore)

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in two battery sizes: 76.6 kWh/ 111.5 kWh
Charging:	Up to 195 kW DC rapid charging (10%-80%: 35 mins). On-board charger 11 kW AC
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	0g (CO2/km)
Battery Warranty:	8 years or 160,000 km

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Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):	6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):	3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+):	0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW):	0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)

• Note 1: SoC: state of charge

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Dimensions
Height (mm):	1695
Width (mm):	1967
Length (mm):	4953
Wheelbase (mm):	3000
Turning Circle (m):	12.8
Boot Space (L):	500

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BMW iX xDrive40
EV Battery Capacity:	76.6 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	372 – 425 km
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100 km):	22.5 – 19.4
Charging:	150 kW DC rapid charging (10%-80%: 31 mins). Onboard charger 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 7 hrs 25 mins)
Top Speed:	200 km/h
0-100 km/h:	6.1 seconds
Drive:	All-wheel drive (AWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	240
Max Power (hp):	326
Torque (Nm):	630
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Driving Modes:	N/A
Unladen Weight-EU (kg):	2,440
Colours:	4
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

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BMW iX xDrive50
EV Battery Capacity:	111.5 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	587 – 593 km
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100 km):	22.5 – 19.4
Charging:	195 kW DC charging (10%-80%: 35 mins). Onboard charger 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 10.75 hrs)
Top Speed:	200 km/h
0-100 km/h:	4.6 seconds
Drive:	All-wheel drive (AWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	385
Max Power (hp):	523
Torque (Nm):	765
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Driving Modes:	N/A
Unladen Weight-EU (kg):	2,585
Colours:	6
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

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Global Electric Vehicle (EV) Market

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Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), more commonly referred to simply as, electric vehicles (EVs) or as plug-in electric cars, have come a long way over the past decade and certainly a long way over the past 100 years.

Electric vehicles came into prominence in the early 1900’s, a time when horse-drawn carriages were the primary mode of transportation.  Archived black and white photographs from that period show famous avenues like Madison Avenue in New York city filled with horse-drawn carriages.  In stark contrast, a similar photograph taken a decade later of Madison Avenue showed not a single horse-drawn carriage.  Instead the avenue was filled with motor vehicles, a new invention at that time. 

We are now witnessing a similar fundamental shift in road transportation, as polluting internal combustion engines (ICE) petrol and diesel vehicles are being replaced by low-emission and zero-emission electric vehicles. In countries like the United Kingdom, a leader in e-mobility, we can expect a comprehensive replacement of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 (UK will ban the sale of new ICE cars in 2030). The UK is not the only country that has a vision of a mass transition to zero-tailpipe emission electric cars.

Since 2011, the global electric vehicle (EV) market has increased at a year-over-year growth rate of over 50%. In 2020, according to the Global EV Outlook 2021 report, the global stock of electric vehicles (EVs) had surpassed 10 million units . In 2015, the Global stock was just over 1 million units. In 2020, Europe accounted for the largest share of new car registrations of EVs (1.4 million registered electric vehicles), followed by China (1.2 million electric vehicles). In Europe, countries like Norway, Iceland and Sweden continue to show strong leadership in the transition to electric driving. In Norway more than 75% of new cars are electric, followed by 50% in Iceland and 30% in Sweden.

However, this is not just a western phenomenon. A number of countries across the world have announced their support for electric cars, to include India. Pure electric cars are now common sightings in a number of global markets, and EV automotive manufacturers, like California based Tesla Motors are now household brands.

Traditional automotive manufactures have also shown significant commitment to the migration to electric engines, to include Volvo Cars, the Volkswagen Group, Renault, Nissan, Peugeot, Hyundai, Mercedes, Land Rover and many more. Forecast for the sale of EVs suggest up to 30 million electric vehicles to be sold before the end of the current decade.

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Types Of Electric Vehicles (EVs)

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“Electric vehicle” is an umbrella term, and a broad one at that. There are a number of different types of electric vehicles (EVs), each with its distinct characteristics and advantages. These include:

• BEVs: Battery-electric vehicles (pure electric)
• PHEVs: Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) combined)
• MHEVs: Mild hybrid electric vehicles (internal combustion engine (gasoline or diesel) along with regenerative braking)
• FCEVs: Fuel cell electric vehicle (electric with hydrogen as fuel)

The above “types” are powered either entirely or partially by electric energy and have different environmental impacts.

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Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

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Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), also known as pure electric vehicles, are powered entirely by electricity (i.e. the vehicle does not have a conventional internal combustion engine). BEVs have zero-tailpipe emissions and help improve local air quality.

BEVs are also very economical to drive. A BEV can cost as little as Rs 50 per 100 kilometres to drive. Examples of best-selling EVs include, the all-electric Tesla Model 3 and the all-electric Renault Zoe. A BEV is charged by plugging in the electric vehicle to a dedicated electric car charging station (home or public charging stations). BEVs are well suited for those living in towns, cities and urban centres. Of course, battery-electric vehicles are also suitable for those living in rural settings.

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Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) differ from battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), in that, PHEVs use both a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric engine for propulsion. Plug-in hybrid vehicles combine the advantages of electric driving and internal combustion engine driving.

On shorter distances, the PHEV uses the electric mode to drive emission-free, using the on-board EV battery and regenerative braking. For longer distances, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles switches to using the internal combustion engine. With a PHEV, the vehicle can cost as little Rs 50 per 100 kilometres to drive on e-mode, without any tailpipe pollution, and also be driven long-distances, without the fear of range anxiety! Most PHEVs have an EV battery of up to 15 kWh and can achieve a zero-emission electric range of up to 50 kilometres. No wonder PHEVs are fast becoming popular globally, with much potential or India. Like a BEV, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is charged by using an external power source (EV charging point) for charging.

PHEVs are suitable for those that drive long-distances on a regular basis but want to lower the negative environmental impact from tailpipe pollution. PHEVs are also suitable for those individuals and families that are seeking to save money by taking advantage of electric driving. The Volvo XC40 PHEV and the Volkswagen Golf 8 are good examples of PHEVs.

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Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs)

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Mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs) are a limited form of electric driving. These vehicles also use hybrid technologies (electric driving and internal combustion engine), but the EV battery is much smaller than a BEV or PHEV. Moreover, in a mild hybrid, the EV battery cannot be charged via an external source (i.e. EV charging station). In a MHEV, the battery is charged by capturing the energy released during braking, a process known as regenerative braking. MHEVs have lower tailpipe emissions, and are more economical to own, run and maintain than petrol and diesel cars. MHEVs are a better option than a petrol or diesel car, but not as good an option as a BEV or PHEV. Mild hybrids are well suited for those living in regions with limited charging infrastructure. Again, MHEVs have great potential in India, given the limited public EV charging infrastructure.

The Toyota Prius is a good example of a mild hybrid electric vehicle.

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Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)

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Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) also called hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, have a fuel cell stack that uses hydrogen to generate the electricity needed to power the electric vehicle. The fuel cell generates electricity and pure water vapour that can escape via the tailpipe. It is capable of generating electricity as long as there is a steady supply of hydrogen. Fuel cell electric vehicles can be refuelled with hydrogen at purpose built filling stations. Filling an FEC takes no more than five minutes.

FCEVs have a range of about 500 kilometers or more between refueling. Today, the only and major limitation is the very limited hydrogen refuelling station network globally. The Toyota Mirai FCEV is a good example of this type of EV.

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While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.

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