The dawn of an electric era

The 1960s can be viewed as the era of rising stars in pop culture (from The Beatles and the folk revival to the rich poetry of Bob Dylan) or as the decade of the most complex social movements and political trends around the globe. In these exciting times, as the world was experiencing new changes on every corner, another issue emerged which remains one of our biggest challenges: During the 60s, pollution in urban areas was recognized as an increasing problem. In the US, particularly in California, the decision was made to regulate emissions. The same decision was made in Europe, ultimately leading to the development of alternative fuel sources.

Much of this research was conducted by research consortia or state agencies, which were joined by many automotive manufacturers engaged in their own research, among them the BMW Group, who focused on regenerative engines and the development of e-mobility.

Three years after the BMW Group started this research, the 1972 Summer Olympics were held in Munich. They took place right next to the new BMW Group headquarters that had been completed in the same year, a stunning, fresh landmark for the Bavarian city, symbolizing the modern soul of the BMW Group (➜ Read also: Four cylinders, five decades of modernity). The fact that the Summer Olympics were right on the doorstep of BMW was a great opportunity for the BMW Group to showcase its work, especially since the environmental movement was important to many people at the time.

The BMW 1602 Electric was seen more as a first development attempt than a feasible solution. Without question, lead-acid batteries weighing 771 pounds (350 kilograms), and with a range up to 60 kilometers were not ideal for a production car. BMW therefore launched a series of research and development projects with the aim of bringing improved and, above all, more efficient technology for electric drives to the road. This marked the beginning of a new era at BMW, heralded by the iconic orange BMW 1602 Electric, which can now be considered a milestone in 50 years of e-mobility at the BMW Group.

On February 21, 2011, the BMW i brand was introduced under the motto “Born electric.” BMW i (➜ Read also: 10 years of BMW i: The success story of a vision) represents a holistic and groundbreaking approach that is still redefining sustainable premium mobility – combining electric drives, innovative materials and technologies in revolutionary concepts for the future. The focus: a new understanding of premium, characterized by sustainability throughout the entire value chain. The first model under the sub-brand was the BMW i3. It was the first series-produced vehicle ever with a passenger cell made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). As a result, its curb weight is in the range of a normal small car, despite the battery pack. The series production of the BMW i3 came to an end in the summer of 2022, about eight and a half years after its launch. Yet it remains an inspiration for many electric BMW vehicles (➜ Read also: Goodbye, BMW i3: This love never gets rusty).

The BMW i3 was followed in 2014 by the BMW i8 as a coupé and, from 2018, as a roadster. The BMW i8 was based on the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept study and, with its plug-in hybrid drivetrain, combined the performance of a sports car with the consumption and emissions of a small car. In 2019, the BMW Group presented the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT, demonstrating that it has also made further strides forward in the use of hydrogen fuel cell technologies. Two years later, the BMW iX5 Hydrogen had its first driving experience at the IAA 2021 (➜ Read also: How can we RE: IMAGINE TODAY?).

With their highly integrated, all-electric drive technology, BMW i4 (➜ Read also: Born electric), BMW iX1 and BMW iX are fully charged for the European Championships Munich 2022 and are the frontrunners for the BMW Group electric team. Being the first runner, the BMW 1602 Electric with its humble appeal may not have been the fastest or the lightest, but it accomplished its goal and passed on the inspiration for a whole new generation of electric cars: Individual, sustainable mobility is achievable.

Looking back over the last 50 years, it becomes even clearer how important this first step was. The ambitious goal of making the future of individual mobility sustainable requires many more steps, yet the most important thing remains this: Keep on running.