BMW is gearing up to launch its first Neue Klasse model later this year, promising 30% faster charging and at least 30% more range. Starting with the new iX3, BMW says an “unprecedented ramp-up” is coming as it prepares to unleash over 40 new and updated models by 2027.
BMW’s new iX3 will arrive by the end of 2025
Although BMW Group deliveries fell 4% last year with 2.45 million vehicles delivered globally, the German automaker is betting heavily on its next-generation EVs to help turn things around.
“With the Neue Klasse, we are implementing the biggest future-focused project in the history of our company,” CEO, Oliver Zipse, said on Friday.
BMW confirmed the first Neue Klasse model, the iX3 will debut later this year. It will kick off “an unprecedented ramp-up” of over 40 new and updated vehicles set to arrive by 2027.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
All will be based on a new “Digital Nervous System” and “Heart of Joy” advanced ECU which will deliver drastic improvements in range, charging speeds, efficiency and more.
The digital nervous system is a new zonal architecture consisting of four “super-brains,” or high-performance computers, that power everything from the infotainment system to the driving dynamics and self-driving capabilities.
BMW Neue Klasse EV tech stack (Source: BMW Group)
BMW claims the new system provides over 20 times more in-car computing power than its current vehicles. The new ECU, Heart of Joy, integrates the drivetrain and driving dynamics, increasing overall efficiency by up to 25%.
Combined with its sixth-gen eDrive technology, BMW said the advanced new tech reduces energy loss by 40% and weight by 10%.
(Source: BMW Group investor presentation)
BMW said that using cylindrical battery cells and an 800V system will deliver “20% higher energy density, 30% faster charging and at least 30% more range.” The company also aims to reduce battery pack costs by 40% to 50%.
Following the new iX3, BMW will launch the next-gen i3, an electric sedan that’s expected to compete with the new Mercedes CLA EV and Tesla Model 3.
(Source: BMW Group investor presentation)
Despite global sales slipping, BMW’s EVs remained the main growth driver. With an all-electric vehicle in every segment, BMW sold over 426,500 EVs last year, representing over 17% of total sales. In Europe, EV share is now over 20%. At MINI, roughly one in four vehicles is electric, while at Rolls-Royce, it’s one in three.
With its Neue Klasse vehicles rolling out, starting with the new iX3, BMW expects EVs to account for over 50% of global sales by 2030.
Ahead of its official debut, BMW gave us a closer look at the highly anticipated iX3 and i3 during the final stages of testing (see the teaser).
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
DHL Express has more than 10,000 eSprinter vans in its global delivery fleet, but none of those have been deployed in North America – until now, that is! The company recently added 45 new Mercedes eSprinter panel vans, and they’ve got plans for plenty more!
While Mercedes offers its eSprinters with a promised 206 mile estimated range, DHL says it’s consistently seen them exceed 240 miles in stop-and-go delivery duty, making them the longest-range battery electric vehicles in DHL’s US fleet.
And, of course, the eSprinter will do all of that without the noise, vibration, and harmful carbon emissions of diesel.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
“Electrifying our fleet is one of the most visible and impactful ways we are moving toward a more sustainable future,” explains Greg Hewitt, CEO of DHL Express, US. “The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter brings an extended range and proven cargo capabilities that allow us to serve our customers with zero emissions, while also advancing our global goal of more sustainable logistics. These vehicles not only strengthen our operations in major US cities but also set the stage for future electric fleet growth across the Americas.”
The 45 eSprinters will see deployment in Chicago, Indiana, and Pittsburg, and will act as a first step DHL’s global Sustainability Roadmap, which will see the company electrify 66% of its last-mile US delivery fleet (and some of its long-haul fleet operations) by 2030.
In short, they’re doing the right thing – or seem to be, anyway. Whether or not that commitment to decarbonization will win them more American customers remains to be seen.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
Enphase Energy just launched a new off-grid system that lets homeowners power their homes without a utility connection – even for extended periods. The California-based Enphase says the off-grid setup delivers a seamless way to live independently from the grid while still using solar, batteries, and a standby AC generator.
A full off-grid setup
The new system combines Enphase’s IQ Battery 5P with embedded grid-forming microinverters, IQ8 Series Microinverters with Sunlight JumpStart, and a third-party standby AC generator. The components work together to supply power to a home and automatically manage energy sources to maximize efficiency and reliability.
If the batteries are drained and the generator runs out of fuel, the Sunlight JumpStart feature can automatically recharge the batteries the next morning once the sun comes up.
The IQ Battery 5P delivers 3.84 kVA of power per 5 kWh of capacity, and systems can be scaled up to 40 kWh and 15.4 kVA. That’s enough power to start big household appliances like HVAC systems or water pumps. The IQ System Controller 3G provides the backbone, managing solar, batteries, and generator inputs to deliver up to 46 kVA of off-grid power.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
Smarter control and connectivity
Each system connects to the cloud through Enphase’s IQ Combiner 5C HDK, which bundles solar interconnection, communications, and metering into one box. For homes without reliable broadband, the built-in 4G LTE Cat 4 modem keeps the system online for monitoring, firmware updates, and remote support.
Homeowners can manage everything from the Enphase App – from solar generation and battery status to generator integration and load control.
Why it matters
As grid outages become more common and homeowners look for ways to gain energy independence, off-grid systems like this are becoming more appealing.
“With the launch of our off-grid solution, we are giving homeowners a reliable path to complete energy independence,” said Nitish Mathur, Enphase’s SVP of customer experience. Enphase says over 100 homes are already operating entirely off-grid using its technology. The company plans to expand availability beyond the US in 2026.
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
Global offshore wind targets are still strong enough to triple global capacity by 2030, despite the US’s offshore wind stagnation under Trump. A new analysis from energy think tank Ember and the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA) shows that the rest of the world is charging forward, underscoring confidence in offshore wind as a cornerstone of future clean energy systems.