Flurry of incentives for BMW EV buyers

IN AN effort to move metal in its battery electric vehicle (BEV) line-up, BMW has incentivised the deal for buyers of certain models with a host of end-of-financial-year sweeteners on mid-sized iX3 pure electric rear-wheel drive and iX xDrive40 pure electric AWD large SUV variants that are priced from $104,900 and $135,900 respectively, plus on-road costs.

In February this year, the iX3 had $10,000 slashed from its original price while other X3 variants went up by between $3400 and $8100.

The incentives only apply to vehicles ordered and delivered before June 30 and do not include other BMW electric models such as the soon-to-arrive iX1, the i4, versions of the iX and the i7 limo.

With current shipping congestion through Australian ports, it means the special deal is on existing stock and demonstrator cars as any specifically ordered vehicle will not arrive in Australia before the cut off.

In the face of burgeoning competition from Mercedes-Benz EQ electric range, Genesis BEV models, the new Lexus RZ450e and Audi’s e-Tron electric line up, BMW is keen to maintain its BEV sales momentum that has prompted action on home charging, service and finance fronts here and in New Zealand.

Other premium BEV brands sold in Australia have various and generous sweeteners associated with purchasing their vehicles.

The so-called Power Pack offer from BMW includes a complimentary Wallbox for Aussie customers and a $1500 BMW Wallbox installation subsidy (as well as the Wallbox itself) for New Zealand buyers.

Trade-in bonuses and subscription to high-speed DC public charging are also included and designed to “elevate the ownership experience of new-generation BMW electric vehicles”.

Drilling down into the Power Pack offer on iX3 and iX xDrive40 to Aussie buyers, we find the BMW Wallbox is the latest, generation three appliance that is designed for easy use and faster recharging (installation is not included and costs between $800 and $1000).

The charger is capable of outputting up to 7.4kW single-phase or 22kW three-phase AC power with an IP65 housing for water and dust protection and a five-metre Type 2 to Type 2 portable cable included.

The Power Pack also includes a six-year complimentary BMW Service Inclusive package and $5000 trade-in bonus.

These elements are in addition to those already offered for all new BMW fully electric vehicles in Australia: a five-year charging subscription to the country’s largest charging network, Chargefox, as well as a five-year new car warranty and three years of roadside assistance.

The Kiwis are ahead of us as BMW New Zealand already offers a complimentary BMW Wallbox on purchase of any fully electric BMW vehicle.

When Kiwi customers purchase a new BMW iX3 or iX xDrive40 with the incentivising Power Pack, and finance the vehicle via the BMW Full Circle plan, they receive both a $1500 contribution towards installation of the BMW Wallbox, as well as a $5000 trade-in bonus.

BMW New Zealand’s home charging solutions complement its (and NZ government) efforts to the rollout of free fast charging across the country. Late last year it commenced a new partnership with EV charge point operator Jolt to expand the availability of charging points to drivers of all electrified vehicles.

BMW here and in NZ are using the incentive program and a broader BEV line up to expand their electrified vehicle footprint (increase sales) in both countries.

So far this year, BMW has launched the fully electric BMW i7 large sedan with the small iX1 just going on sale in New Zealand and due for imminent launch here.