BMW is expanding its range of vehicles with electrified drive to include the first electric X model. It is the entry into the all-electric SUV models. The motorization of the BMW X3 is now broadly based, from gasoline and diesel engines to plug-in hybrids and all-electric drives. Production takes place at the Chinese production site in Shenyang of the BMW Brilliance Automotive joint venture and is also produced there for global export.
Renault continues to expand its range of electric cars. Below the modified ZOE, the Twingo ZE is a special “Vibes” model in the small car segment as a competitor such as the e-up! at the start. From August 2020, the special model can be ordered in white or flashy orange. The starter package includes 16-inch wheels and the well-known EASY LINK online multimedia system with a 7-inch touchscreen. The deliveries should then take place at the end of this calendar year.
Volkswagen is with the e-up! on the move with the zeitgeist: trendy, two-tone paintwork such as “teal blue” with a black roof or red with a white roof give it a high recognition value. The interior is also painted in the same color throughout - a good approach in the fight against the trend of viewing it as a purely commercial vehicle. In terms of price, the city car, equipped with a 60 kW (82 PS) electric motor and a 32,3 kWh battery, starts at a list price of 23.000 euros.
The Nissan Leaf is one of the best-selling electric cars in the world. The motto of the most powerful version with the model suffix "e +" is characterized by the attributes faster (0-160 km / h in 6,8 seconds), higher (160 kW / 217 PS engine) and further (range up to 500 km) the end. For years, the previous model has been used frequently in the city area due to its acceptable range. In the current, completely revised version "e +", there is a plus of a very sporty driving style and a significant increase in range compared to the basic models.
The newly ignited competition in the small and compact car segment for electric cars is also affecting new car prices this year. In view of new competition, especially from Volkswagen and Tesla, Nissan is significantly reducing new car prices for the Nissan Leaf. The current Nissan Leaf was completely renewed in 2018 not only technically, but also externally.
Tesla announces the Gigafactory in the motherland of the car. Would a clear signal for the move to emission-free mobility have been needed? No, it was to be foreseen. While German automobile manufacturers have been struggling for years to optimize traditional combustion engines, Tesla is setting the automobile era in Germany for the 21st century.