BMW’s Electric Milestone: 2 Million EVs Sold Amid Divergent Market Trends
BMW has reached a significant milestone in its electric vehicle (EV) journey, delivering its two millionth fully electric car. This achievement comes nearly 13 years after the launch of its pioneering i3 model and speaks volumes about the company’s dedication to EV technology. However, while BMW enjoys a surge in EV sales across Europe, the American market tells a different story.
The landmark vehicle, an i5 M60 xDrive, was produced in Dingolfing and reached its new owner in Spain. Alongside these fully electric vehicles, BMW’s broader electrified vehicle lineup, including plug-in hybrids, has reached about 3.5 million units sold since 2013. During the first half of 2026, over a quarter of BMW’s global sales incorporated some form of electric propulsion.
European Market Surge
Europe is proving to be fertile ground for BMW’s electric ambitions. In the second quarter alone, BMW’s European battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales skyrocketed by 38%, totaling 81,445 units. During the first half of 2026, fully electric models accounted for approximately 28% of BMW’s sales in Europe.
Across the continent, nearly 1.5 million BEVs were registered by July, marking a 30% increase from the previous year. July’s figures show electric vehicles clinching 35% of France’s market and 29% in Germany, with Denmark leading at an impressive 80%, according to a Reuters report.
iX3’s Rising Popularity
The newly introduced iX3 is a standout in BMW’s European lineup, approaching 100,000 orders. Since its debut, one in three electric BMWs ordered in Europe has been an iX3, and within the X3 family, half of the orders are for the electric variant. The iX3’s appealing design is a significant selling point compared to its internal combustion engine counterpart.
Expanding Electric Lineup
BMW is broadening its electric offerings with the Neue Klasse family, which includes the newly launched electric i3 3-series in Munich. Additionally, the X5 now features an electric version, expected in showrooms by spring 2027.
Challenges in the American Market
The situation in the United States contrasts sharply with Europe’s enthusiasm for EVs. The removal of federal tax incentives has led to a more than 20% drop in EV sales industry-wide in the second quarter, leaving EVs with just a 6% market share. BMW’s North American sales reveal a similar trend, with a 22.9% rise in plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales but a steep 18.1% decline in overall electrified vehicle sales.
The iX electric SUV has been particularly affected, with sales down nearly 50% year-to-date, though a recent facelift and price reduction may boost future sales. Overall, BMW’s EV sales in the US have fallen by 56% year-to-date, as reported by Cox Automotive.
The arrival of the Neue Klasse iX3 in September, along with the iX5, is anticipated to revitalize BMW’s EV sales. However, the electric vehicle landscape remains vastly different on either side of the Atlantic.
Original Story at www.carscoops.com