BMW and Chevrolet are changing the world of transportation, but not in the way we might have thought they would.
Both companies are driving us toward an electric future, and both have just taken epic steps to help solidify their choice of EVs as the cars of the very near future.
More specifically, both have selected SUVs and crossovers as the electric cars of the future.
Let’s start with BMW.
BMW launched its electric “i” brand earlier this decade with the i3 hatch and i8 supercar, but the automaker has said it does not plan to build an SUV within the same range. Evidently the company’s stance has changed, because BMW could be in the planning stages of a massive influx of electric SUVs.
Autocar recently reported that BMW has trademarked the names iX1, iX2, iX3, iX4, iX5, iX6, iX7, iX8, and iX9.
This could just be BMW covering its bases, which automakers frequently do, but it could also mean BMW has major plans for several electric SUV models.
Considering the pace at which EVs are becoming mainstream, and how much Americans love crossovers, BMW would be remiss if it didn’t follow through by attaching at least a few of those new names to real vehicles within the next couple of years.
Which brings us to Chevrolet.
The Truth About Cars referenced an event at which GM CEO Mary Barra spoke about her company’s future. The website reported,
In early October, GM expressed its intention to launch 20 new electric vehicles by 2023. However, we didn’t get any specific details on the matter. That changed this week. Barra claims the manufacturer will introduce three new electric models by 2020, with two of them being crossovers. The trio will share share basic components with the Chevrolet Bolt.
That would mean 17 new electric models would be introduced in the next three years, which seems a little excessive. And that’s not even including Hyundai’s recent announcement of eight more SUVs and crossovers by 2020, at least some of which will be powered by electricity.
We’re living in a crossover-hungry world, and Americans will probably keep buying them as fast as carmakers can make them.
Would an electric SUV be a good fit for your driving needs?
-tgriffith
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I ? the BMW