BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse will mark the debut of the company’s dedicated electric car platform, starting with an SUV set to be released next year. The Vision Neue Klasse X concept previews this architecture, which will feature bidirectional charging – a feature that has been long-awaited by fans of the famous white and blue roundel. This means that future models like the iX3 SUV and i3 sedan will be able to double as power banks to recharge household appliances, e-bikes, camping gear, and more.
Next-Generation Batteries
One key upgrade with the Neue Klasse platform is the use of round cells instead of prismatic cells in the batteries. This switch is expected to increase both charging speed and range by 30 percent, while also boosting energy density by 20 percent. BMW’s sixth-generation batteries will support bidirectional charging in three stages: Vehicle to Home, Vehicle to Grid, and Vehicle to Load.
Rollout Plan
BMW plans to introduce bidirectional charging with the Neue Klasse in a phased approach, starting with Vehicle to Home functionality. This will allow owners to power their household devices using energy stored in the car. Vehicle to Grid will then enable users to feed excess energy back into the grid, though this feature will only be available where local regulations permit it. Vehicle to Load will provide power for external electrical equipment.
Future Expansion
After the initial launch of the iX3 and i3 models, BMW aims to introduce at least four more vehicles based on the Neue Klasse platform by 2028. The company projects that over half of its global annual sales will be electric vehicles by the end of the decade. Moving into the early 2030s, BMW plans for Mini and Rolls-Royce to transition to fully electric models as well.
Conclusion
The introduction of the Neue Klasse platform represents a significant milestone in BMW’s electric vehicle strategy. With bidirectional charging capabilities and next-generation batteries, the company is poised to offer cutting-edge technology and sustainable mobility solutions. As BMW accelerates its EV lineup expansion and prepares for the future, the adoption of electric vehicles is set to play a prominent role in the automotive industry.