BMW targets 100,000 electric-car sales in 2017

BMW has set out plans to sell another 100,000 electric cars in 2017, after celebrating strong electric sales since the launch of its i3 in 2013.

Over the past three years, the carmaker has achieved 100,000 sales across its i3 compact and i8 sports car range and is adamant it "will continue to invest in electro-mobility".

Plans beyond 2017 focus on expanding its electric vehicle (EV) range, including a roadster version of the i8 in 2018, a battery-powered Mini in 2019 and an all-electric X3 SUV in 2020.

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BMW says the architecture it has established with the i3 and i8 allows it to "respond with high flexibility to changes in demand and requirements."

An i5 saloon and i6 SUV will also join the line-up in the future, says Autocar, which adds that BMW's shift towards EVs is an attempt to "reinvent itself as an electric mobility" and "autonomous driving" company.

Auto Express reports that BMW's "electric sales push" has been bolstered by the recent update to the i3 and improvements the company has made towards battery life.

It adds that BMW doubts the appointment of Donald Trump as US president and his views towards climate change will have any substantial impact on electric car sales.

While BMW was one of the early adopters of electric vehicles with its i range, it faces stiff competition from the likes of Tesla and Apple, both of which have invested heavily into electric and autonomous technologies.