The BMW i5 arrives on the North American market with an EPA range of up to 475 km

The Bavarian manufacturer has just expanded its range of electric vehicles in North America with the launch of the BMW i5, thereby beginning to compete in the premium saloon segment. Although this model was officially presented last May, it was not until this last quarter of the year that the first units began to arrive at dealerships in the United States and Canada.

BMW currently offers just two versions in this market: the eDrive40, which is the entry point to the range, and the M60 at the very top of it. In the United States, the starting price of the former is 66,800 dollars, while to get hold of a unit of the latter you have to pay a minimum of 84,100 dollars. In both cases, 20-inch wheels can be fitted instead of the standard 19-inch wheels for 800 dollars more. On the M60 version, 21-inch wheels can also be fitted for an extra 1,800 dollars.

It should also be noted that, as this is a model imported from Europe and priced above 55,000 dollars, buyers of an BMW i5 in the United States cannot benefit from the 7,500 dollars that the federal government offers as a purchase incentive for an electric vehicle.

EPA range of the new electric saloon from BMW

Coinciding almost exactly with the launch of the BMW i5 on the US market, the country’s Environmental Protection Agency, popularly known by the acronym EPA, has published the results of its consumption tests. According to this agency, the eDrive40 version is capable of covering up to 295 miles – 475 km – on a single charge when fitted with the standard 19-inch wheels. This range is reduced to 278 miles – 447 km – with 20-inch wheels and to 270 miles – 434 km – with 21-inch wheels.

Likewise, the M60 version, with dual electric motors and all-wheel drive, offers an EPA range of 256 miles – 412 km – with the standard 19-inch wheels. With 20-inch wheels the range drops to 248 miles – 400 km – and with 21-inch wheels it is possible to enjoy an EPA range of 240 miles – 386 km.

Both versions on sale share the same battery pack with a usable capacity of 81.2 kWh. The eDrive40 has a single electric motor on the rear axle producing 250 kW, which allows it to reach 100 km/h from a standstill in just over 5.7 seconds. The M60 version, meanwhile, has two electric motors and all-wheel drive with a combined output of 442 kW, allowing it to stop the clock at 0 to 100 km/h in just over 3.7 seconds.

Technical specifications of this car

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