BMW i3 Electric Saloon Officially Opens Order Books in the UK
The wait is finally over. BMW has officially opened order books for the all-new i3, the first fully electric 3 Series to be made available on a global scale. Priced from £53,005, the new i3 enters the premium electric saloon segment as one of the most compelling options on the market, boasting an impressive claimed range of up to 567 miles and a starting price that undercuts its nearest rival, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Electric.
For buyers who have been holding out for an electric version of BMW's iconic sports saloon, this is a landmark moment. The 3 Series has long been the benchmark for driver-focused premium saloons, and the i3 promises to carry that legacy into the electric era — without compromise.
How Does the BMW i3 Price Stack Up Against the Competition?
At £53,005, the BMW i3 is undeniably a step up in price compared to its petrol and plug-in-hybrid siblings. The current combustion-engined 3 Series starts from £41,945, while the plug-in hybrid variant begins at £47,210. That represents a meaningful premium for making the switch to fully electric power.
However, context matters in the premium EV segment. When measured against its most direct rival — the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Electric, which starts at £57,995 — the i3 looks considerably more attractive. Buyers choosing between the two could save nearly £5,000 by opting for the BMW, all while gaining access to a more substantial range figure and the engineering pedigree of BMW's next-generation EV platform.
For those weighing up the broader electric saloon landscape, the i3's pricing positions it as a serious value proposition at the premium end of the market, particularly given the technology packed beneath its skin.
The Neue Klasse Era Begins: What Platform Underpins the i3?
The BMW i3 is the second model to emerge from BMW's transformative Neue Klasse programme, following the larger iX3 SUV that was revealed approximately six months prior. Both vehicles share the same fundamental technical architecture — BMW's EV-first 800V Gen6 platform — which represents a clean-sheet approach to electric vehicle engineering rather than an adaptation of an existing combustion-engine layout.
The 800V architecture is a significant differentiator in this class. It enables substantially faster DC charging speeds compared to older 400V systems, meaning owners can recover large amounts of range in a short time at compatible rapid chargers. This is precisely the kind of real-world usability that transforms an electric vehicle from a city commuter into a genuine long-distance companion.
Building the i3 on this EV-native platform also allowed BMW's engineers to optimise every aspect of the car around electric performance — from battery placement and thermal management to software integration and energy recuperation — rather than working around the packaging constraints of a traditional powertrain.
567 Miles of Range: One of the UK's Longest-Range EVs
Perhaps the most eye-catching figure associated with the new BMW i3 is its claimed range of up to 567 miles. That number places it among the longest-range electric vehicles currently available in the United Kingdom, rivalling or surpassing much larger and more expensive EVs in the segment.
To put that figure into perspective, 567 miles comfortably covers the distance from London to Edinburgh and back on a single charge under optimal conditions. Even accounting for real-world variables such as motorway speeds, weather, and heating or cooling demands, the i3 should offer a level of range confidence that effectively eliminates range anxiety for the vast majority of journeys.
By comparison, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Electric offers a claimed range of up to 472 miles — a respectable figure in its own right, but nearly 100 miles fewer than the BMW. For buyers who prioritise range above all else, the i3 makes a compelling case on that metric alone.
Why Did BMW Wait So Long to Build an Electric 3 Series?
It is a question many BMW enthusiasts have asked over the past few years: with the i4 having been on sale since 2021 — a model that occupies a similar size and market position to the 3 Series — why did BMW delay producing a fully electric 3 Series for so long?
The answer, according to BMW, is straightforward. The brand was unwilling to release an electric 3 Series until the technology was mature enough to genuinely match the performance, refinement, and dynamic qualities of its combustion-engined equivalent. The 3 Series name carries decades of driver-focused heritage, and BMW was determined not to release an electric version that felt like a compromise.
That philosophy aligns with the broader Neue Klasse strategy: rather than rushing electric variants of existing models to market, BMW invested in an entirely new generation of EV technology before committing the 3 Series name to the electric world. The result, if the early specifications are anything to go by, is a car built for the electric age rather than adapted to it.
The i3 Name Returns: A Nod to an Electric Pioneer
Long-time BMW fans will recognise the i3 name from a very different vehicle. The original BMW i3 was a pioneering urban electric hatchback that launched in 2013 and went out of production in 2022 after nearly a decade on sale. It was one of the first mass-market premium electric vehicles and helped establish BMW's credentials in the EV space.
The decision to revive the i3 name for the electric 3 Series is a deliberate piece of brand storytelling — connecting the legacy of BMW's electric heritage with its most important model line. It signals continuity while marking a decisive step forward in capability, size, and ambition.
Will BMW Continue Selling the Petrol 3 Series?
Despite the arrival of the electric i3, BMW has confirmed that the current combustion-engined 3 Series will remain on sale. The brand plans to substantially update the existing model, bringing it visually and technologically in line with the eighth-generation car. This means buyers will have a genuine choice between the traditional 3 Series experience and the fully electric i3, rather than being forced into a transition before they are ready.
This dual-track approach reflects BMW's broader strategy of maintaining internal combustion options while investing heavily in electrification — a pragmatic stance in a market where consumer readiness for full electrification varies significantly by region and buyer profile.
Should You Buy the BMW i3?
For premium saloon buyers seriously considering the switch to electric, the BMW i3 makes a persuasive case. It arrives with a class-leading range claim, a cutting-edge 800V platform, strong value relative to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Electric, and the unmistakable cachet of the 3 Series badge. Whether you are drawn by the efficiency, the technology, or simply the idea of a proper electric BMW driver's car, the i3 demands serious attention.
Order books are open now, with prices starting from £53,005. Given the level of interest likely to surround the first proper electric 3 Series, prospective buyers would do well to act promptly to secure an early build slot.