May be similar to the dotcom crash. However, buying a car from a company that will no longer exist in a couple of years is fraught. Nowadays we can 3D print parts so spare parts, although expensive, will be available. Having common standards for battery size and charging outlets is probably important too.
This is an impressive vehicle on paper, and it’s coming to the US next year
We do need to buy a new car in the next 12 months but hard to predict what it will cost if available in Canada. The tariff situation is complicated.
What I like to see is this:
4.14 mi/kWh is an impressive gain from last version. New architecture clearly helps.
I noticed that Kia is releasing the EV5 in Canada but not the US. I wonder if other carmakers might do the same with certain models given the tariffs. If so, I might have to make a trip to Canada every now and then to check out the latest in EV technology.
The BMW USA website has a page live for this model now, although you can’t get one until next summer: https://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/x-series/ix3/bmw-ix3.html
The $64,000 question in Canada is what will happen to Chinese EV imports. Talks are under way this week between senior Canadian and Chinese officials over the punitive tariffs being levied on each country’s exports. The 100% tariffs that Canada levied on Chinese EVs at Biden’s request will only be lifted if Canada gives up on domestic EV production.
They also claim a 20% increase in energy density, are the new batteries that good, or were the old ones not so great? Regardless, it looks like it could be a really great ride.
Good question. It can be a combination of battery chemistry and cell/pack design. I’d be curious about the details. I’m not really in the market for vehicles in that price range, but I still appreciate them, and hope the tech trickles down even before used ones hit the market.
ETA, 800v system may be new compared to old iX3, which can save weight in battery pack and in power train. Might be part of the equation.
It will get people from Point A to Point B. A pillars are bit hazardous.
Oh, and the batteries are part of the frame, so saving some weight there. But, that car will be junk when the batteries wear out.
Would prefer an even lower design. Take the sedan they are making and turn it into a wagon. THEN I’ll be mildly interested.
Preaching to the choir.
So the battery pack case being a structural element of the design doesn’t necessarily mean the battery pack can’t be replaced. Replacing a battery pack may be expensive for (at least) two different reasons: cost of the battery pack and labor for replacement. The design can cause the labor for replacement to be prohibitive compared to the worth of an older vehicle. However, on a BMW, the value when the battery needs replacement may still be high enough to make it economically worthwhile.
We are still early in the battery era, so long term degradation rates aren’t well known. Will it take 10 years to see a 20% reduction in range, or 20? How much do total cycles matter vs just time?
Lucid is around 5.0 with the Air, although not sure where the Gravity ends up.
Yep, Lucid Air is purpose built with that in mind. Too bad it is well outside my price range.
I’m getting low 4’s with my Leaf (not counting charging losses) and upper 3s on my Equinox. Been using the Equinox a good bit for 250 mile day trips and has been great.
Since some of us work in insurance, here are the EVs with the most affordable insurance. The list is compiled by the Californian auto insurance company, Mercury.
https://electrek.co/2025/08/28/chevy-blazer-equinox-evs-are-most-affordable-to-insure/
They aren’t calling this a wagon, but it’s much closer to that form factor than most “SUV” offerings:
2026 Subaru Trailseeker | The All-New Subaru EV SUV?
Walmart plans to add thousands of charging stations in its parking lots over the next five years or so. Starting out they will probably be 50/50 NACS & CCS but that ratio could change over time.
This thing is a rocket.