BMW has delivered its two millionth fully electric vehicle, highlighting its growing reliance on the European market where seven in ten of its battery-electric cars sold in Q2 were purchased.
- BMW sold 116,807 battery-electric cars in Q2, 70% in Europe
- Global battery-electric deliveries dropped 7.4% in H1 2026
- iX3 accounts for one-third of Europe's electric BMW orders
What happened
BMW recently reached a historic milestone with the delivery of its two millionth fully electric vehicle, an i5 M60 xDrive manufactured at its Dingolfing plant and delivered to a customer in Spain. This total spans electric vehicles sold since 2013 and forms part of a broader portfolio that includes around 3.5 million electrified vehicles when plug-in hybrids are counted.
In the second quarter alone, BMW sold 116,807 battery-electric cars globally, with 81,445 of those units purchased by European customers. This means Europe accounted for approximately 70% of BMW's battery-electric sales during that period, underscoring the continent's importance to BMW's electric vehicle strategy.
Why it matters
Despite this milestone, BMW's global battery-electric vehicle deliveries fell by 7.4% in the first half of 2026, with a notable decline of over 20% in the Chinese market. This contraction is coupled with rising competition, especially as Chinese automakers have made strong inroads into the European market.
BMW's reliance on the European market, where the iX3 model leads demand, highlights an uneven global footprint for its electric vehicle sales. Nearly 100,000 orders for the iX3 have been placed since its launch, representing a significant share of BMW's electric vehicle sales in Europe and reinforcing the region's critical role in sustaining BMW's EV momentum.
What to watch next
BMW's upcoming launches on the Neue Klasse platform, such as the i3 production recently started in Munich, will be critical to maintaining its electric vehicle sales growth. The success of this new generation of models will determine whether BMW can diversify its EV sales beyond Europe and regain broader global traction.
Market watchers should also monitor BMW’s performance in China and the US, where sales have lagged. The company’s strategic responses to intensifying competition from Chinese EV makers and regulatory developments in major markets will significantly influence its global electric vehicle outlook.