New BMW X1 xDrive25Le PHEV boosts electric range 83% to 110 km; new NCM battery technology
23 March 2019
At Auto Shanghai 2019 in April, BMW Brilliance Automotive will present the new edition of the BMW X1 xDrive25Le. The compact Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) developed exclusively for the Chinese automotive market with extended wheelbase and plug-in drive now achieves an electrically powered range of up to 110 kilometers (68 miles) due to its new battery technology.
The efficiency of the new BMW X1 xDrive25Le has also been further increased, with combined fuel consumption now some 72% lower than before.
The 83% increase in range as compared to the predecessor model and the reduction in fuel consumption by 72% to 1.3 liters per 100 km (181 mpg US) were made possible by advances in the area of battery cell technology.
The new BMW X1 xDrive25Le features a lithium-ion high-voltage battery, with battery cells produced exclusively based on specifications defined by the BMW Group. The further increase in battery capacity was the result of research and development work as well as close cooperation with the battery cell manufacturer.
In the new battery cells, the ratio of nickel, cobalt and manganese (NCM) in the electrode material is 8 : 1 : 1. The expanded nickel share increases energy density, while the reduction in the cobalt component means that less rare earth material is required.
Despite the fact that the design is still compact, the weight of the battery—which is positioned at a very low point in the vehicle floor—is only increased by 2.5 kilograms. Like the vehicle as a whole, the high-voltage battery is manufactured at BMW Brilliance Automotive’s Tiexi plant in Shenyang, China.
The plug-in hybrid system of the new BMW X1 xDrive25Le comprises a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology driving the front wheels, with an electric motor that delivers its power to the rear wheels.
Together they generate a system output of 170 kW/231 hp along with a maximum system torque of 382 N·m. Fitted with a 6-speed Steptronic transmission, the BMW X1 xDrive25Le accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds.
In 2018, the predecessor BMW X1 xDrive25Le was China’s top-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle in the premium SUV segment. The BMW X1 xDrive25Le was conceived of especially to meet the needs and preferences of Chinese customers. Last year, the company sold more than 140,000 plug-in hybrid and electrically powered vehicles sold worldwide—an increase of 38.4% as compared to the prior year.
Me parece un insulto que BMW venda PHEV con 110km de autonomía electrica en China y en Europa esten vendiendo otros tipos de chapuzas.........¿Todavia queda alguien para decir que los PHEV con 100km de autonomía electrica eran imposibles?.
Posted by: Centurion | 23 March 2019 at 06:35 AM
A 68 mile PHEV is very good.
It may even have too large a battery
Most people would only need to charge it every 2 days.
So: when can we buy one, and how much will it cost - in Europe, in the US.
Posted by: mahonj | 23 March 2019 at 04:15 PM
I searched for this vehicle online and I only find the 38 PHEV range version, which appears to be just released. WTHeck?
Posted by: The Lurking Jerk | 24 March 2019 at 08:11 AM
A 110+ Km e-range PHEV, capable of about 60+ Km e-range in adverse cold snowy weather may be what is required to reduce fossil fuel consumption, pollution and GHGs year round?
Posted by: HarveyD | 24 March 2019 at 08:50 AM
@harvey, yes, 110Km Phev would save a lot of fuel, without a big charger build out.
As long as enough people can afford them.
As I said, even a 60 km PHEV would save a lot of electricity for most people.
There is little point in exquisite fuel sipping cars that no-one can afford.
Posted by: mahonj | 25 March 2019 at 01:40 AM
Speaking from 6 years of experience, a 30 kilometer PHEV can eliminate 80% of your liquid fuel consumption if you have charging where you need it.
The real key is to get people to stop buying gas-guzzling trucks. My current best solution is a requirement that the vehicle burn no more than 1 gallon of E10 (greater allowance if E85 or M85 is used) in the first 50 miles of the standard driving cycle after starting with a fully-charged traction battery. You could do this with big SUVs, but you'd require big expensive batteries. The cost would drive people back toward sanity.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 25 March 2019 at 05:50 AM
I agree with SAEP that an average 30 Km PHEV can eliminate up to 80% of liquid fuel --- if you have charging facilities where you need it --- specially at home and work place?
If you have to rely on public quick charging facilities, a 110+ Km PHEV or a 400+Km BEV would be more appropriate. The Provincial $8000 subsidy and the Federal $5000 will help to cover most of the price difference.
Posted by: HarveyD | 25 March 2019 at 07:12 AM
Harvey quite deliberately slants his appraisal toward the most expensive and least effective way of cutting petroleum consumption: long-range pure BEVs.
If he was a shill for the fossil fuel industry being paid to pose as a "Green", would he do anything different?
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 25 March 2019 at 04:20 PM