History of BMW i3 in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 18, 2026

The BMW i3 is an electric B-segment, high-roof hatchback manufactured by BMW from 2013 to 2022. As BMW's first mass-produced zero-emissions vehicle under the BMW i sub-brand, it features rear-wheel drive, a single-speed transmission, and an underfloor lithium-ion battery pack. An optional range-extending petrol engine was also available. The i3 represents BMW's entry into the electric vehicle market.

November 2010: Leipzig Plant Retooled

In November 2010, the Leipzig plant was retooled to add electric vehicle assembly lines, with an investment totaling €400 million euros (US$561 million) through 2013.

March 2012: CARB Regulation Compliance

In March 2012, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted rules stating that the 2014 BMW i3 with a REx unit qualified as a range-extended battery-electric vehicle or "BEVx". As a BEVx, the car was required to deliver a minimum 75 mi electric range.

June 2012: Updated BMW i3 Concept Unveiled

In June 2012, an updated version of the BMW i3 concept car was unveiled at the opening of the first BMW i store, located on Park Lane in London, UK. The updated i3 concept consists of a new interior colour and materials concept, featuring seat covers that combine responsibly sourced wool and leather naturally tanned with an olive oil leaf-based agent.

March 2013: BMW i3 Coupe Concept Presented

In March 2013, a concept version of the BMW i3 Coupe reflecting the current status of ongoing development was presented at the Geneva Motor Show.

July 2013: BMW i3 Production Vehicle Unveiled

The production vehicle of BMW i3 was officially unveiled simultaneously in New York, London and Beijing on July 29, 2013.

September 2013: Production Begins

Production of the BMW i3 began on September 18, 2013.

November 2013: European Market Launch

The first BMW i3 deliveries to retail customers in Europe took place at an official market launch ceremony held in Munich on November 15, 2013.

2013: Geneva Auto Show Car Design Award

The BMW i3 won the Geneva Auto Show Car Design of the Year award for 2013 in the production category; an iF Product Design Gold Award for "the incorporation of sustainability in all facets of the interieur and exterieur design".

February 2014: BMW i3 Production Update

As of February 2014, BMW was producing an average of 70 cars a day, about half the planned production, with lower production due to a high defect rate in the carbon parts. There were 11,000 orders at the time, including 1,200 from U.S. customers.

May 2014: First US Delivery

The first delivery of the BMW i3 to a retail customer in the U.S. took place in May 2014. At its market launch, pricing in the United States started at US$42,275 before any government incentives, and the range extender option an additional US$3,850.

September 2014: 10,000 Unit Sales Milestone

Global sales of the BMW i3 passed the 10,000 unit mark in September 2014.

September 2014: Delivery Waiting Time Extended

In September 2014, as a result of the high demand and the slow production rate, delivery waiting time for the BMW i3 extended to September 2014.

October 2014: BMW i Flexible Mobility Program Launch

In October 2014, BMW i introduced the BMW i Flexible Mobility Program in the US, allowing customers access to conventional BMW vehicles for longer trips where the BMW i3's range was insufficient. Dealers had the option to participate. BMW also offered roadside assistance with charging for the i3 and displayed nearby charging stations on the i3's digital panel.

2014: BMW i3 Qualifies as a BEVx

According to rules adopted in March 2012 by CARB, the 2014 BMW i3 with a REx unit fitted is the first car ever to qualify as a range-extended battery-electric vehicle or "BEVx". CARB describes this type of electric vehicle as "a relatively high-electric range battery-electric vehicle (BEV) to which an APU is added."

2014: Third Rank by Sales Among All-Electric Cars

From 2014 to 2016, the BMW i3 ranked third by sales among all-electric cars sold worldwide for three years in a row.

2014: World Green Car and Car Design of the Year

In 2014, the BMW i3 won the World Green Car of the Year, the World Car Design of the Year, UK Car of the Year 2014, and UK Best Super-mini of 2014 awards.

2014: i3 REx Range Extension

In 2014, the REx engine in the BMW i3 REx operates when the battery capacity drops to a specified level, generating electricity to extend the range. The European model has a range of approximately 320 km. However, the model year 2014-16 i3 REx vehicles in the U.S. are limited to a fuel capacity of 7.2 L electronically.

2014: Wheels Car of the Year

In Australia, the BMW i3 received the 2014 Wheels Car of the Year by Wheels Magazine.

May 2015: 25,000 Unit Sales Milestone

Global sales of the BMW i3 passed the 25,000 unit mark in May 2015.

2015: Green Car of the Year Award

The BMW i3 won the Green Car Journal's 2015 Green Car of the Year Award.

July 2016: 50,000 Unit Sales Milestone

Global sales of the BMW i3 reached the 50,000 unit milestone in July 2016.

November 2016: BMW i3 Tops Sales in Norway

In November 2016, the BMW i3 topped new passenger car monthly sales in Norway.

2016: Class-action Lawsuit Filed

In 2016, a class-action lawsuit was filed due to the restrictions applied to the US configuration of the i3 REx, which did not apply to other territories. The US model's fuel capacity was electronically limited to 7.2 L to maintain its classification as a range-extended battery-electric vehicle.

2016: Third Best-Selling All-Electric Car

In 2016, the BMW i3 was the world's third best all-time selling all-electric car, after the Nissan Leaf and the Tesla Model S, with more than 65,000 units sold worldwide since its inception.

2016: Design and Game Changer of the Year

In South Africa in 2016, the BMW i3 received "Design of the Year" and "Game Changer of the Year" from cars.co.za.

October 2017: 100,000th BMW i3 Built

By late October 2017, the 100,000th BMW i3 had been built in the Leipzig plant. 700 storage batteries taken from used i3 vehicles were linked as the "Storage Farm" at Leipzig in 2017.

October 2017: BMW i3 Production Rate

As of October 2017, production of the BMW i3 was just over 120 cars per day at the Leipzig plant.

2017: World Urban Car of the Year

At the 2017 New York International Auto Show the 94 Ah BMW i3 was named the inaugural winner of the "World Urban Car of the Year".

2017: Increased All-Electric Range for i3 REx

Since the 2017 model year, i3 REx cars have the same battery as the all-electric models, resulting in an increased all-electric range due to the higher capacity 94 Ah battery. For example, the 2017 model year i3 REx equipped with the range extender has a total range of 290 km, of which 156 km is all-electric.

March 2018: Availability in 74 Countries

As of March 2018, the BMW i3 was available in 74 countries.

2018: i3s with SPORT Drive Mode

For the 2018 model year, the i3s was introduced, which added a SPORT drive mode to the existing Comfort, Eco Pro, and Eco Pro+ modes.

2019: 150,000 Unit Sales Milestone

Cumulative global sales of the BMW i3 attained the 150,000 unit mark by mid 2019.

2019: i3 REx Battery Update

In 2019, the BMW i3 REx featured an increased all-electric range due to the 120 Ah battery, exceeding its gas-powered range. Software restrictions were removed, unlocking the full tank for later models of the i3 REx without affecting its ZEV status.

October 2020: 200,000th BMW i3 Built

On October 15, 2020, the 200,000th i3 rolled off the production line in the Leipzig plant.

July 2021: U.S. Sales End

U.S. sales of the BMW i3 ended in July 2021.

December 2021: Annual Retail Sales Through December 2021

The following table presents annual retail sales or registrations of the BMW i3 top selling national markets through December 2021 for both variants of the BMW i3, except when noted.

December 2021: Total i3 Sales Exceed 220,000 Units

By the end of December 2021, total BMW i3 sales since inception exceeded 220,000 units delivered worldwide. Germany was listed as the i3 top selling country market with 47,536 units sold.