The narrative that Tesla has an insurmountable lead in EVs just got complicated. BMW announced the 2027 i3 with 440 miles of range - exceeding all current Tesla models and marking a shift in the EV range wars.
For context: Tesla's Model 3 gets 363 miles. The Model S hits 410 miles but is being discontinued. BMW's new electric sedan beats both on the metric Tesla has dominated for years. That's significant because range anxiety is still the primary barrier to mass EV adoption.
This is BMW's bet that traditional automakers can out-engineer Tesla on battery technology and efficiency. The i3 uses an 800-volt architecture with up to 400-kilowatt DC fast charging, enabling sub-25-minute charging from 10% to 80%. It's also adopting NACS charging standard in the US, giving it access to Tesla's Supercharger network.
The technical approach is different from Tesla's. BMW is using cell-to-pack battery design that reduces weight and complexity. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive system produces 463 horsepower and 467 lb-ft of torque. The new Neue Klasse platform was built specifically for electric vehicles rather than adapting existing platforms.
What's interesting is the timing. Legacy automakers spent years playing catch-up to Tesla. Now they're starting to leapfrog in specific metrics that matter to mainstream buyers. Range is the obvious one. But they're also competitive on charging speed, interior quality, and dealer service networks.
Tesla still has advantages in software, over-the-air updates, and the Supercharger network. But as other manufacturers adopt NACS and get Supercharger access, that moat narrows. And Tesla's notorious quality control issues give traditional manufacturers an opening with buyers who care about fit and finish.
The i3 is also designed to address criticisms of recent BMW styling. It abandons the oversized grille for a sleeker and includes a panoramic glass roof, 17.9-inch display, and updated with integration. These are table-stakes features now, but is executing them in a package that looks genuinely competitive.
