Browse
Log in / Register
Share
March 12, 2025 – BMW has demonstrated that its next-generation electric SUV, the iX3 50L, can cover more than 1,000 kilometers on a single charge. In an internal road test from Shenyang to Beijing, the long-wheelbase prototype traveled 1,030.2 kilometers (640 miles) without stopping to recharge. Upon arrival, the battery still had five percent charge left, meaning the actual maximum range could be even higher.
This result sets a new distance record for any BMW electric vehicle to date. It also exceeds the official CLTC-rated range of 919 km (571 miles) by more than 100 km. However, BMW stresses that the test was conducted under carefully controlled conditions on a predetermined route, so drivers should not expect identical real-world performance.
The iX3 50L is the long-wheelbase variant of BMW’s upcoming electric SUV built on the Neue Klasse platform. Engineers drove the vehicle from BMW’s production facility in Shenyang to the company’s R&D center in Beijing. The route was chosen to maximize the vehicle’s energy management and efficiency potential. Factors such as moderate temperatures, steady traffic flow, and conservative driving style all contributed to the result.
BMW’s official CLTC rating of 919 km is already generous compared to the stricter WLTP standard used in Europe or the EPA cycle in the US. The fact that the iX3 50L surpassed that figure in a real driving test—albeit an optimized one—underscores the efficiency advances BMW has achieved with its Neue Klasse architecture.
This isn’t the first time the new iX3 has posted impressive efficiency numbers. Earlier, BMW drove a similar prototype around Qinghai Lake in China, covering 805 km (500 miles) in what the company described as a real-world scenario. The latest test was designed to push the vehicle’s aerodynamics, battery thermal management, and regenerative braking systems further.
BMW’s broader goal is to make official range figures more reflective of what customers can actually achieve, narrowing the gap between laboratory numbers and everyday driving. This is a growing concern in the EV industry, where advertised ranges often far exceed what drivers experience in mixed conditions.
The “L” in iX3 50L stands for long wheelbase, a configuration that is typically reserved for the Chinese market. BMW has confirmed that this stretched electric SUV will open for preorders at the Chengdu Motor Show on August 21, 2025, but it will not be sold in Europe or North America. That’s unfortunate for drivers outside China, because the iX3 50L’s range could be a game-changer for long-distance EV travel.
BMW plans to bring a standard-wheelbase version of the iX3 to global markets, but its official range figures are expected to be lower due to a smaller battery pack and less focus on rear-seat space. The Chinese market’s preference for spacious rear cabins has driven the development of the long-wheelbase variant, which also benefits from a larger battery capacity.
The 1,030 km achievement is a strong statement that BMW is serious about closing the range gap with Tesla and Chinese rivals like NIO and XPeng. While the test conditions were favorable, the ability to demonstrate a 1,000+ km range in a single charge reduces the “range anxiety” barrier for many potential EV buyers.
However, the real-world usability of that range depends on charging infrastructure, driving habits, and weather. BMW’s test was conducted on a carefully planned route with ideal conditions, so your mileage will vary. Still, the engineering behind the iX3 50L’s efficiency—including a new battery pack, improved aerodynamics, and advanced heat pump—is worth noting.
The iX3 50L is expected to go on sale in China in late 2025, with initial deliveries starting before the end of the year. BMW has not yet announced pricing, but given the long-wheelbase configuration and premium equipment, it will likely be positioned at the top of the iX3 lineup.
For the US and Europe, the standard iX3 (based on the Neue Klasse platform) is expected to arrive in 2026. Until then, BMW’s current iX remains the company’s flagship electric SUV in those markets, albeit with significantly less range than the new iX3 50L.
BMW’s internal test proves that the iX3 50L can achieve over 1,000 km of range in controlled conditions, setting a new benchmark within the brand’s EV lineup. While it won’t be available in the US or Europe, the technology and efficiency lessons from this test will influence future BMW models worldwide. For now, Chinese customers will be the first to enjoy this remarkable range, and the rest of the world will have to wait for more compact versions of the same platform.
