The iX3 Is Becoming BMW's EV Star

BMW's latest generation of electric vehicles appears to be gaining much stronger momentum. The company's first Neue Klasse EV, the new iX3, has reportedly attracted close to 100,000 orders. BMW said European BEV sales reached 81,445 vehicles in the second quarter of 2026, an increase of 38% compared with the same period previously. The iX3 has played a major role in that growth.

During the first half of 2026, battery-electric vehicles represented about 28% of BMW's European sales, with the iX3 accounting for roughly one-third of those BEV sales.

Even more significant is the demand within BMW's popular X3 lineup. Around half of all X3 orders in Europe were reportedly for the fully electric iX3, showing that customers are increasingly willing to choose an electric version of a mainstream BMW model. BMW has reached a major milestone in its electric-vehicle journey, selling its two-millionth battery-electric vehicle (BEV) since entering the modern EV market. The milestone vehicle was an i5 M60 xDrive, built at BMW's Dingolfing plant in Germany and delivered to a customer in Spain. The achievement comes 13 years after BMW introduced the unusual but pioneering i3 in 2013. At the time, electric vehicles were still a niche product, with models such as the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model S among the few recognizable EVs on the market. BMW's i3 was very different from the company's traditional lineup, but it ultimately became the starting point for BMW's long-term electric strategy.BMW's electric story becomes even bigger when plug-in hybrids are included. The company has now sold approximately 3.5 million electrified vehicles worldwide, meaning more than one in four BMW vehicles sold globally has some form of electric powertrain.

BMW delivered around 442,000 battery-electric vehicles globally in 2025, representing a modest increase from the previous year. However, the transition has not been equally strong in every market. BMW's EV sales in the United States have weakened during 2026, reflecting a broader slowdown in EV demand affecting several automakers. BMW isn't stopping with the iX3. The company is preparing additional Neue Klasse models, including the upcoming BMW i3 and iX5. These vehicles will introduce BMW's latest battery technology, updated electric architecture and a more technology-focused interior. The new i3 could be particularly important for BMW because it is based on the company's hugely important 3 Series nameplate. BMW is also targeting an estimated range of around 440 miles on a charge, which could make the model a strong competitor in the premium electric sedan market.

BMW board member Jochen Goller said the new i3 is already seeing strong demand ahead of its market launch. Today, however, BMW is taking a much broader approach.

Instead of treating EVs as a separate experiment, the company is increasingly integrating electric power into its most important vehicle families. Reaching two million battery-electric vehicles sold is therefore more than just a sales milestone. It shows how far BMW has moved from the experimental i3 of 2013 toward a future where electric vehicles are becoming a central part of the brand. With the iX3 already generating strong demand and more Neue Klasse models on the way, BMW's next million EVs could arrive much faster than its first two million.