BMW confirms how long it'll take its iX3 car to beat a gas car's carbon footprint
Published on Aug 11, 2025 at 10:24 AM (UTC+4)
by Callum Tokody
Last updated on Aug 08, 2025 at 8:30 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
The BMW iX3 is an electric SUV that, according to the brand, beats gas cars for carbon footprint in around a year of driving.
The figure comes from BMW’s internal lifecycle assessment, which includes everything from battery production to electricity used for charging.
It’s based on real-world usage across the European energy grid, which still includes fossil fuels.
BMW says it reached that number by changing how the car is built, not just how it runs.
VISIT SBX CARS – View live supercar auctions powered by Supercar Blondie
How the iX3 cuts its carbon footprint early
The BMW iX3 is the first model on the company’s Neue Klasse platform.
It introduces BMW’s Gen6 battery tech, which the company claims cuts emissions during production by 42 percent compared to previous packs.
That’s mostly due to a greater use of recycled materials and manufacturing powered by renewable energy.
The electric SUV is designed to use less energy on the road as well.
BMW says it can travel 4.14 miles per kilowatt-hour, which puts it above average for a vehicle of its size.
Efficiency gains come from lower rolling resistance, improved aerodynamics, and reduced energy draw from internal systems.
BMW’s carbon footprint claim is based on a full lifecycle estimate.
That includes mining, battery manufacturing, assembly, and the emissions involved in charging using the European grid.
In countries with cleaner electricity, the breakeven point would come sooner.
The company also points to increased use of what it calls ‘secondary materials’ in the build process, such as components made from recycled aluminium, steel, and plastics.
Some of the facilities producing the BMW iX3 now run entirely on renewable power.
These changes are expected to carry over to other electric SUV models built on the same architecture.
What’s next for BMW’s electric SUV rollout
The production version of the BMW iX3 is scheduled to debut at the 2025 Munich International Motor Show.
It will lead a new generation of electric SUV and sedan models based on the Neue Klasse platform.
A second model, likely a midsize sedan, is expected to follow shortly after.
The iX3 will use a 100 kilowatt-hour battery and has been developed with a focus on range and efficiency.
BMW is targeting close to 500 miles on the WLTP cycle, although EPA estimates will be lower.
BMW is positioning the iX3 to show how battery tech, supply chain improvements, and manufacturing updates can reduce a vehicle’s carbon footprint more quickly than before.
The company says these updates will extend across its entire Neue Klasse lineup in the coming years.
For buyers looking at the environmental impact of an electric SUV, the iX3 presents a clearer set of numbers than most.
If the claims hold up, it could become a benchmark in how battery tech and emissions are measured across the industry.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
Callum Tokody is a content writer at Supercar Blondie, where he covers the latest in the automotive world with a focus on design and performance. Callum has a background in automotive journalism and has contributed to a range of publications in Australia and the UK. Outside of work, he’s a design enthusiast with a soft spot for anything with a V8 and a good story.
