BMW i3 50L covers 1,213 km on one charge in China road test

BMW has put a headline number on its new electric sedan. The company says a Neue Klasse BMW i3 50L, the long-wheelbase version built for China, drove 1,213 km (about 753 miles) on a single charge in a real-world road test. BMW calls it the longest distance any of its battery-electric cars has covered without recharging.

The test

According to BMW’s statement, reported by CnEVPost and Electrek, the route mixed expressways, national highways, rural roads and city streets. The car reached its destination with 1% charge left in its 113.4 kWh battery and averaged 8.8 kWh per 100 km.

Two caveats matter. This is a manufacturer-run endurance drive, not a certified range under a standard cycle such as WLTP or CLTC. And the published details do not include average speed, outside temperature or climate-control use, so you should not expect this distance in everyday driving. For reference, Electrek reports a CLTC range of more than 1,000 km for the i3 50L, with an 800-volt system that can add about 400 km in 10 minutes at up to 400 kW.

Gen6 batteries now made in China

The announcement coincided with the start of Gen6 high-voltage battery production in Shenyang. In its press release, BMW says Shenyang is the third site in its Gen6 network after Debrecen in Hungary and Irlbach-Straßkirchen in Germany. BMW says the new cylindrical cells offer more than 20% higher energy density and up to 30% faster charging and longer range than the previous generation.

CnEVPost reports that the project represents an investment of 10 billion yuan (about $1.49 billion), with a planned floor area of 240,000 m², roughly five times BMW’s existing battery facilities there. The first Shenyang-made packs will go into the Neue Klasse iX3 and i3.

When can you buy one?

The i3 50L is a China-specific sedan with a 3,005 mm wheelbase. Electrek reports that customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2027. BMW has not announced a price for it yet.

To get the most out of any EV battery, see our guide to EV battery care habits that actually matter, and if you’re setting up charging at home, read how to choose a home EV charger. BMW’s earlier powertrain news: the Steyr e-drive power module.