While BMW has been known for its finely crafted, luxury cars, it has recently been breaking into the eco-friendly field as well. BMW now has two completely electric cars, the i3 and the i8, but it isn't stopping there. BMW is planning to expand its eco-friendly platforms to the rest of its fleet through plug-ins.
One of note is the new plug-in for the x5 xDrive40e, which will turn the car into a hybrid crossover. While using the plug-in, the CUV receives a 56 MPGe rating, although it drops back down to 24 MPG when the battery pack is depleted. To allow for the x5 to function as a hybrid, BMW altered the CUV to a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine from its usual 3.0 liter six-cylinder. The x5 is capable of driving 14 miles completely electric, and the battery takes under three hours to charge. While in pure electric mode the top speed is 75 mph. The x5 is definitely worth considering if you're interested in a CUV that offers a whole lot more.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Eco-friendly Fleet
- BMW's plans of expanding its eco-friendly platform to its entire fleet encourage innovation in the development of green cars.
- Plug-in Hybrid Technology
- The plug-in technology used in the x5 xDrive40e presents an opportunity for the automotive industry to create more efficient and eco-friendly hybrids.
- Electric Cars
- As BMW expands its fully electric car line, it sets the bar for other manufacturers to create more sustainable electric vehicles.
Where This Applies
- Automotive
- BMW's development of eco-friendly cars presents opportunities for the automotive industry to expand into the eco-friendly market.
- Engineering
- The development of plug-in hybrid technology in cars provides room for engineering innovation in the creation of more efficient and eco-friendly engines.
- Renewable Energy
- The increase in electric cars provides an opportunity for the renewable energy industry to create more sustainable energy solutions for cars.
