Future electric vehicles based on BMW’s Neue Klasse electric platform will be just as efficient as the car manufacturer’s combustion models.
BMW CEO Oliver Zipse made the announcement at BMW’s annual shareholders’ meeting last week. According to him, the automaker intends to save 30% by using the cylindrical cell format of the Neue Klasse platform. It also displays battery chemistry and new cell formats to increase power consumption.
“It also means our latest GEN6-driven generation: more products, new cell chemistry and new cell formats,” Zipse confirmed.
Read more: Neue Klasse platform for BMW EV focuses on mid-sized segments
BMW will begin production of the Neue Klasse platform in 2025 and will initially use it for fully electric vehicles. The platform will be launched on June 1 at a new plant in Debrecen, Hungary, where the foundation stone will be laid. Current plans include removing the first series cars from the network in 26 months.
This new plant will operate without fossil fuels and will be generated on site with all used energy or sourced from renewable energy suppliers. Contracts for the supply of the first cars based on Neue Klasse will be signed by the end of this year. talk to Automatic newsZipse confirmed that it views CO2 emissions “and the percentage of raw material as a criterion for selecting suppliers.”
BMW estimates that by 2030, electric cars will account for half of global sales. The maker plans to sell 2 million electric vehicles by 2025, and expects electric vehicles to account for 10 percent of all deliveries this year. Eight BMW all-electric cars will be launched by the end of this year.
Two design prototypes for Neue Klasse-based models were presented to BMW board members.
“We can promise that they will surprise you too. Neue Klasse represents the quantum leap we are aiming for, ”Zipse added. “This is in line with a new group management model – small units that operate efficiently and have access to our technology platforms to use synergies.”
