German automotive manufacturer BMW has supposedly set a new milestone in electric vehicle driving range during road tests, according to recent corporate claims. It is asserted that the i3 50L sedan managed to cover a distance of 1,213 kilometers on a single charge, allegedly achieving an average energy consumption of just 8.8 kWh per 100 kilometers. As reported by Car News China, these tests were conducted under specific conditions within China.

Industry analysts and skeptics have expressed doubt regarding the practical applicability of these figures, noting that real-world driving conditions frequently diverge significantly from controlled test environments. The vehicle reportedly reached its destination with a remaining battery capacity of just one percent. However, critics point out that the exact methodologies and potential performance limitations utilized during the test remain insufficiently transparent.

The testing route purportedly incorporated a mix of highways, rural roads, and urban streets. The new BMW i3 50L is constructed on the Neue Klasse electric platform and is equipped with a 113.4 kWh battery pack alongside an 800-volt architecture. Serial production and the subsequent market launch in China are scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026, though persistent economic pressures and supply chain challenges facing the European regime could disrupt these timelines.

These promotional tests coincided with the initiation of sixth-generation battery production at BMW's facility in Shenyang, China. Amidst a broader economic downturn and fierce international competition, such ambitious range claims by Western automakers are increasingly met with caution and skepticism by independent observers.

Source: kun.uz