BMW Sets New Charging Record for Electric Vehicles
The new iX5 model demonstrates the power of BMW's sixth-generation eDrive system.
Competition in the electric vehicle market is intensifying, and BMW has decided to demonstrate its technological edge through a public experiment. The company showcased the capabilities of its next-generation iX5 model at an event in California, where the vehicle reached a charging power of 464 kW. This figure exceeds the 460 kW officially announced by BMW, highlighting the efficiency of the company's sixth-generation (Gen6) eDrive system.
New Technology and Rapid Charging
BMW's new electric motor system is based on an 800-volt architecture. Compared to the previous generation, it offers a 30% improvement in both range and charging speed. Engineers replaced traditional prismatic cells with new cylindrical-type elements, which increased energy density by 20%. As a result, charging the 144 kWh battery from 10% to 80% takes just 22 minutes. In practical terms, this means a driver can gain enough energy to cover approximately 270 kilometres (170 miles) in just 10 minutes.
iX5 60 xDrive: Specifications and Production
The 2027 iX5 60 xDrive model is equipped with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system that produces 578 horsepower. The vehicle accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. BMW estimates that the car will have a range of approximately 700 kilometres (435 miles) on a full charge. This model is of historical significance to the company, as it is the first fully electric vehicle to be assembled at BMW's Spartanburg plant in the USA.
What This Means for Consumers
Despite the impressive results, it is important to note that 460 kW is a peak figure, not a constant one. Furthermore, charging at this speed requires appropriate infrastructure, which is currently a rarity in most parts of the world, including the USA. The demonstration was conducted using specialized equipment from IONNA and Alpitronic, underscoring that as electric vehicles evolve, the modernisation of charging networks remains critically important.
Sales of the BMW iX5 60 xDrive are set to begin in the USA in the first quarter of 2027, with a starting price of $79,800. For consumers following the EV market, this technological leap signals that charging times for long-distance travel are increasingly approaching the duration of refuelling traditional vehicles.