Experiences proceed to construct round BMW’s potential return to the vary extender. After earlier stories advised the next-generation X5 could get the Vary Extender therapy, now Bloomberg is including gas to the story, reporting that BMW is evaluating range-extender variants for top-end fashions just like the X5 and seven Sequence, in accordance with folks aware of the corporate’s technique. These bigger automobiles have the packaging area to suit a compact engine used solely as a generator—much like how BMW configured the outdated i3 REx.
Why A Vary Extender?
China explains most of it. BMW’s gross sales within the area aren’t as robust as they as soon as had been, however the nation stays the corporate’s single largest market. Final 12 months, 29.2% of all BMW Group deliveries (together with MINI and Rolls-Royce) went to Chinese language clients—greater than the US and Germany mixed. And China’s style for extended-range electrical automobiles (EREVs) is skyrocketing.
In response to Automotive Information, citing the China Passenger Automotive Affiliation, EREV gross sales grew almost 50% within the first 5 months of 2025. Native heavyweights like BYD’s Yangwang U8, Aito M9, and Li Auto L9 have turned the range-extender structure into a well-liked center floor between pure EVs and combustion SUVs.
BMW deserted the i3 REX years in the past, however the market situations have modified dramatically. A next-generation X5 working a extremely environment friendly generator engine at fixed rpm might resonate with patrons who need EV driving more often than not however refuse to cope with long-distance charging anxiousness.
Bloomberg’s reporting notes that American patrons—particularly within the massive SUV segments—have additionally proven curiosity within the range-extender format. The upcoming Ramcharger pickup and Volkswagen Scout tasks use comparable pondering: an electrical drivetrain backed by a small combustion generator to increase vary with out sacrificing towing or long-distance functionality. In Europe, future EREV classification might exempt these automobiles from the 2035 combustion ban, relying on how rules evolve. It’s removed from assured, however the chance provides one more reason for BMW to discover REX fashions.
A Small Engine as a Devoted Generator
If BMW greenlights the challenge, the system would doubtless mirror the i3 philosophy: the engine wouldn’t drive the wheels in any respect. As a substitute, it might run at an optimum, fastened rpm to cost the battery and stabilize consumption. BMW already develops compact, environment friendly gasoline engines in-house, in addition to generator-friendly parts that might shorten the event cycle.
For now, BMW’s official place stays fastidiously non-committal. A spokesperson instructed Bloomberg the corporate is: “repeatedly analyzing utilization patterns, buyer wants, and market developments and reviewing the market potential of assorted applied sciences.” As of right now, we’re additionally listening to from sources that BMW has but to approve any range-extender fashions, and their future stays unsure.
