BMW Hybrid Plans

BMW has two hybrids, the ActiveHybrid X6 which is a full hybrid, and the ActiveHybrid 7, which uses a mild hybrid system. And now comes word (Source: BMW plans more hybrid models - Autocar.co.uk) that BMW is working on releasing a third hybrid model sometime in the next eyar.

In the meantime, according to the interview by autocar, BMW project leader Peter Tuennermann revealed quite a bit about their overall hybrid plan, including the observation that no car maker can afford to ignore hybrids.

He also talks about the hybrid types, full and mild. I find the choices BMW made to be very smart. The full model is more complex and requires a larger battery, and so they went with the nickel metal hydride battery pack, which has been around longer and costs less, which drops the overall vehicle price. The mild hybrid, with its needs for rapid recharging, while still being simple, uses the lithium-ion battery pack.

Tuennermann points out 3-, 5- and 7- series are more suited for mild hybrid models, while the X2, X5 and X6 are more likely to end up as full hybrid models because they are larger.

And while he was at it, he addressed the issue of diesel hybrid, making it clear that it is still just a concept for BMW, given its cost.