Electric SUV Exceeds 1,000 Kilometres on Single Charge

BMW Group has demonstrated the long-range capability of its next-generation electric powertrain by completing a 1,007.7-kilometre journey in a BMW iX3 50 xDrive without intermediate charging, highlighting the efficiency gains enabled by the Neue Klasse vehicle architecture and sixth-generation eDrive technology.

Long-distance test under real-world conditions
Six members of the BMW development team drove the BMW iX3 50 xDrive from BMW Group Plant Debrecen in Hungary to BMW Welt in Munich, covering the entire distance on a single battery charge. The vehicle used for the test represents the first model of the Neue Klasse and is equipped with BMW’s new Gen6 eDrive system.

Extensive preparation preceded the drive, including simulations, route planning and validation tests. The route led via Budapest and Vienna toward Munich, with a strong focus on energy-efficient driving. To reduce consumption, the team mainly used secondary roads and deactivated non-essential comfort systems such as seat heating, air conditioning and navigation.

An overnight stop in St. Pölten, Austria, was made to comply with legally required rest periods, without recharging the vehicle.

Precise energy management and battery performance
After completing 1,007.7 kilometres, the BMW iX3 50 xDrive arrived in Munich with approximately two percent state of charge remaining in its high-voltage battery. This outcome illustrates not only the energy efficiency of the vehicle but also the precision of energy management throughout the journey.

According to BMW, the drive required careful balancing of speed, energy consumption and battery utilization. Engineers from multiple development disciplines contributed their expertise to ensure that the vehicle operated within optimal efficiency parameters over the entire distance.

Integration across BMW’s production network
The route also connected key sites within BMW Group’s manufacturing and technology network. During the journey, the team passed BMW Plant Steyr, where the sixth-generation electric drive systems used in the Neue Klasse and the BMW iX3 are produced. Another stop was BMW Plant Landshut, which manufactures the “Energy Master,” a central component of the Neue Klasse’s electrical architecture.

These locations underline the close integration between vehicle development, powertrain production and component manufacturing within BMW Group.

Neue Klasse as a platform for electric long-distance mobility
BMW positions the Neue Klasse as a fully electric, digital and sustainable vehicle generation. The 1,007.7-kilometre drive serves as a technical demonstration that long-distance travel with battery-electric vehicles is achievable without compromising usability.

The test drive also establishes a new internal benchmark, as the BMW iX3 50 xDrive covered a greater distance on a single charge than any previous fully electric BMW Sports Activity Vehicle.

Engineering validation for future series vehicles
The results of the drive provide validation data for the Neue Klasse platform and the Gen6 eDrive system ahead of series production. According to BMW, the combination of high-efficiency electric motors, advanced power electronics, optimized battery technology and intelligent energy management enables significant gains in usable range.

With this demonstration, BMW Group reinforces its strategy of advancing electric mobility through system-level engineering rather than isolated component improvements, positioning the Neue Klasse as a cornerstone of its future electric vehicle portfolio.

www.bmwgroup.com