Only electric BMWs in 10 years?

[Tapsa70]

Quite a bold prediction about BMW engine technology:



We believe that BMW will likely phase out internal combustion engines over the next 10 years,” Baron wrote.”

A recent CNBC interview (We will all drive a Tesla in 25 years: Ron Baron) featured Ron Baron, CEO and chief investment officer, Baron Funds, discussing Tesla and the future of automobiles. During that interview Mr. Baron said;
“”Tesla’s car culture is far different from that of other car companies,” Baron wrote. At least, all car companies except for BMW. Baron noted that two of his analysts recently visited BMW in Germany and the BMW financial team believes that a “revolution in the drive train is underway.

 

[klier]

Fine by me.
Will solve the FWD problem too, because no drivetrain will be needed anymore. 100 years of combustion engines by BMW is enough.

Damn, WTF did I just say?

 

[Giannis]

That is quite a wild prediction, which I safely guess if far from reality.

But I classify it as a fact, that out of the automotive industry, it's BMW that has changed the most, that has altered and evolved its core values, its product portfolio and its future plans.

Not many decades ago, BMW was the German Alfa Romeo and now is sustainably mass producing a CFRP monocoque chassis and an electric city car. BMW is not the "poor" man's Porsche, it's an innovative brand, with some models that are exciting to drive.

There are people who actually like this and see it as progress. There are the alienated enthusiasts and there are the numbers. The numbers speak.

It's impressive how much this company has managed to do in such a short time period. I'm both admiring BMW for what they have achieved, and hate it for what they have become.

 

[mini_cooper4]

That is quite a wild prediction, which I safely guess if far from reality.

But I classify it as a fact, that out of the automotive industry, it's BMW that has changed the most, that has altered and evolved its core values, its product portfolio and its future plans.

Not many decades ago, BMW was the German Alfa Romeo and now is sustainably mass producing a CFRP monocoque chassis and an electric city car. BMW is not the "poor" man's Porsche, it's an innovative brand, with some models that are exciting to drive.

There are people who actually like this and see it as progress. There are the alienated enthusiasts and there are the numbers. The numbers speak.

It's impressive how much this company has managed to do in such a short time period. I'm both admiring BMW for what they have achieved, and hate it for what they have become.

Nicely said, mate!

 

[EnI]

What a BS!

In 10 years most core BMW Series will have a PHEV variant. And that's it.

But yes ... in 10 years EVERY BMW i MODEL will only feature a pure electric drive - without ICE as seen today in i8 or i3 ReX.

 

[Cashmere]

If the Giga Factory is up and running by 2016/2017 and it really does bring down the price of batteries down as Musk predicts, I can foresee electric cars outselling those with an internal combustion engine.

 

[KiwiRob]

If the Giga Factory is up and running by 2016/2017 and it really does bring down the price of batteries down as Musk predicts, I can foresee electric cars outselling those with an internal combustion engine.

Where are we going to get all the electricity from?

An article I read a few weeks ago said the Norwegian grid is already having issues with Norway's (hugely subsidised) move to electric cars. If 25% of motor vehicles in Norway were electric the grid would collapse.

It's all well and good moving to electric cars, but there is going to have to be a massive build out of power stations to generate the electricity to power them, since many countries won't go nuclear, that mean fossil fuel, more dams, more solar and more wind. Wind and solar are expensive and require coslty subsidies, dams aren't liked by the environmental folks and building more fossil fuel plants defeats the reason to go electric.

 

[Sunny]

^Well, the Norwegian grid is weak(er) I guess.

The US grid is good for 150 million electric vehicles or 75% of passenger vehicles on the road in the US - Don't Worry: US Grid Capable of Supporting Up to 150 Million Electric Vehicles | Inside EVs.

No country is going to replace 75% or even 25% of all the vehicles overnight. It will take decades.

Edit- By my calculation 150 million is only 60% of the 254 million estimated passenger vehicles in the US, but the point stands. The electric grid in the US has lot of spare capacity for charging electric vehicles.

 

[SCOTT27]

What a BS!

In 10 years most core BMW Series will have a PHEV variant. And that's it.

But yes ... in 10 years EVERY BMW i MODEL will only feature a pure electric drive - without ICE as seen today in i8 or i3 ReX.

Yes the statement was taken out of context it refers to each BMW model offering PHEV option within the range.

 

[Cashmere]

Where are we going to get all the electricity from?

An article I read a few weeks ago said the Norwegian grid is already having issues with Norway's (hugely subsidised) move to electric cars. If 25% of motor vehicles in Norway were electric the grid would collapse.

It's all well and good moving to electric cars, but there is going to have to be a massive build out of power stations to generate the electricity to power them, since many countries won't go nuclear, that mean fossil fuel, more dams, more solar and more wind. Wind and solar are expensive and require coslty subsidies, dams aren't liked by the environmental folks and building more fossil fuel plants defeats the reason to go electric.

I saw this video just yesterday which talks about how the Netherlands is implementing solar powered roads which is a fantastic idea. Also, countries such as South Korea are making huge strides with their transit buses using road surfaces to wirelessly charge the electric buses. This won't solve the grid problem over night, but these innovations look like a step in the right direction to me and I can only see it improving exponentially over time.

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[KiwiRob]

^Well, the Norwegian grid is weak(er) I guess.

The US grid is good for 150 million electric vehicles or 75% of passenger vehicles on the road in the US - Don't Worry: US Grid Capable of Supporting Up to 150 Million Electric Vehicles | Inside EVs.

No country is going to replace 75% or even 25% of all the vehicles overnight. It will take decades.

Edit- By my calculation 150 million is only 60% of the 254 million estimated passenger vehicles in the US, but the point stands. The electric grid in the US has lot of spare capacity for charging electric vehicles.

I find that difficult to believe when the US is having problems with the grid leading to brown outs everytime the temperature spikes (up or down).

This article makes an interesting read America’s Power Grid at the Limit: The Road to Electrical Blackouts

So whilst the US might have the generating capacity can it get that electricity to the locations that need it?

 

[Rolf]

That is quite a wild prediction, which I safely guess if far from reality.

But I classify it as a fact, that out of the automotive industry, it's BMW that has changed the most, that has altered and evolved its core values, its product portfolio and its future plans.

Not many decades ago, BMW was the German Alfa Romeo and now is sustainably mass producing a CFRP monocoque chassis and an electric city car. BMW is not the "poor" man's Porsche, it's an innovative brand, with some models that are exciting to drive.

There are people who actually like this and see it as progress. There are the alienated enthusiasts and there are the numbers. The numbers speak.

It's impressive how much this company has managed to do in such a short time period. I'm both admiring BMW for what they have achieved, and hate it for what they have become.

100% correct what you said, they seemed to have changed the most out of the 3 luxury brands in the breadth of models they are producing as well as the innovative models that they have taken the biggest dare or risk to launch and sell. I think BMW must be pretty confident in themselves and their products to be able to take up this challenge with the public and decide to take a gamble on their core values

 

[Sunny]

This won't solve the grid problem over night, but these innovations look like a step in the right direction to me and I can only see it improving exponentially over time.

Yes indeed. But you will still find a certain quarter - usually the oil industry - trying desperately to make 'perfect the enemy of good' - "Oh look, it is not perfect, it doesn't solve world hunger, so let us chuck it and stick with what we were doing".

I find that difficult to believe when the US is having problems with the grid leading to brown outs everytime the temperature spikes (up or down).

This article makes an interesting read http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/04/...t-the-limit-the-road-to-electrical-blackouts/

So whilst the US might have the generating capacity can it get that electricity to the locations that need it?

You also probably find global warming difficult to believe, and that is fine...

No one said things were perfect. Most of the concerns are with local transformers which will need upgrading - http://www.technologyreview.com/news/518066/could-electric-cars-threaten-the-grid/, http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterde...-the-power-grid-how-are-they-coming-together/

In areas where there is a influx of electric cars like Silicon Valley, where they are already doing it.

But a far far cry from the "oh, we will need more fossil fuel burning plants cause of evil electric cars!".

 

[KiwiRob]

You also probably find global warming difficult to believe, and that is fine...

But a far far cry from the "oh, we will need more fossil fuel burning plants cause of evil electric cars!".

Only a twit wouldn't accept global warming, besides it's cold where I live, my house is 80m above sea level, so I say bring it on, I'd like the warmer weather and being closer to the beach.

No fossil fuel isn't the answer for our future power generation needs, nuclear is.