BMW names its first fully electric production SUV as the iX3, expect it to arrive in 2019

For the past several years, BMW has been working on electric mobility, or electrifying their current models. This is why the German automaker has trademarked a range of “i” nameplates for their future lineup of electric models. One of the latest models would be the “iX3” trademark that suggests that BMW’s best-selling SUV will be the first of many in a long lineup of EVs.

AutoExpress just said that BMW has filed the trademark of the iX3 name earlier this month, and it will be joined by a range of i-badged trademarks that already exist, such as the iX1, the iX9, and everything in between. Without a doubt, the iX3 nameplate will be seen on the back of the BMW’s electric X3. It is currently the only fully electric SUV that the company has confirmed for production by far, and according to the automaker, this model should be out sometime in 2019.

Other models that will join the iX3 would be the upcoming i5, which was first previewed to us by the Vision Dynamics Concept. The German company plans to schedule the production of this model in 2020 to rival Tesla’s Model S, with its 373-mile range. Keeping their hopes up, they expect these two models to make up as much as 25 percent of their overall sales by 2025. In 2017 alone, BMW has plans on selling 100,000 plug-in hybrid cars, alongside an overall cumulative sales figure of around 200,000 vehicles.

BMW has more to offer than just the iX3 and the i5, as they also have the i3 ready to go on sale in a few months. It comes with a sporty “S” trim, a wider track, a set of 20-inch wheels, and some added exterior design elements on the front and the rear fascia. Of course, it comes with an electric motor that gives out as much as 184 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque.

Moreover, we can expect to see the first ever i8 Roadster at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month. What we know so far is that it will be equipped with a larger 14-kWh battery pack, which is double the size of its coupe sibling. It is also possible that this model will have a boosted electric range that will enable it to give out 400 horsepower on tap. Also, do not be surprised if in the next few years, all of BMW’s vehicles will begin offering plug-in hybrid options - this includes even the M cars.

BMW’s decision to start electrifying their current models comes from the perception that that their competitors such as Audi, Jaguar and Mercedes have all joined the bandwagon, with models like the e-tron, iPace and EQC SUVs.