That the new BMW i3 is replacing the ‘old’ i4 comes as no surprise. Shortly after the design premiere of the electric 3 Series BMW, reports are emerging of the i4’s impending end of production; only the exact timing remains unclear.

Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce is stepping back from its plan to go all-electric by 2030, as demand for combustion models remains strong and demand for the all-electric Spectre dropped by 47%.

The sixth generation of BMW’s electric drivetrains, the ‘Neue Klasse, sets new benchmarks in technical performance, that has once again been proven by the launch of the new i3. BMW already offers a similarly sized battery-electric saloon in its portfolio, the i4.

Not surprising

A model that is based on the 4 Series Gran Coupé and uses a multi-energy platform alongside the fifth-generation electric drivetrains. In direct comparison, the i4 falls short of the new i3: its battery has a maximum capacity of 81.3 kWh, and the longest-range variant achieves 613 kilometres (WLTP). With a maximum charging capacity of 205 kW, a typical charging session takes 30 minutes.

It is thus unsurprising that the i4 will be discontinued when production of its technologically superior successor begins in August, particularly as both the i4 and the new i3 are manufactured at BMW’s Munich plant.

However, the exact timing of the i4’s final production run remains unclear. According to the English magazine Autocar, production of the i4 in Munich is set to end next year, while the website InsideEVs suggests it could happen as early as the end of 2026. Both outlets base their reports on statements made by BMW representatives during the i3’s design premiere in Munich on Wednesday.

Coming and going as usual

“When you look back on the last 20 years, you always had new models coming in and old models phasing out,” BMW Sales Director Jochen Goller is quoted as saying. “And what you will always see is the volumes of the existing cars, in this case the i4, phasing out, and those of the new car, the i3, clearly ramping up. But as with every model, that was already factored into our planning.”

In other words, BMW expects demand for the i4 to decline rapidly. Initially, the Gran Coupé’s larger fastback boot may still offer a slightly more practical alternative to the i3’s traditional saloon boot, which has a smaller opening. However, Oliver Zipse also confirmed the long-rumoured i3 Touring as a practical battery-electric estate on Wednesday. At that point, the i4 will have few remaining advantages.

Rumors, nevertheless, have it that interest in the i4 has been increasing lately. Apparently, many BMW workers or enthusiasts want to reserve a specimen before it’s gone for good.

Also, the i4 nameplate is unlikely to disappear permanently. While the new i3 will be followed by a new generation of internal combustion engine and hybrid 3 Series models, BMW is also reportedly developing a new 4 Series, often described as a ‘more style-focused and dynamic alternative’ to the 3 Series. Future 4 Series models are expected to offer various drivetrain options, including battery-electric powertrains.

Rolls-Royce backs away from 2030 full electrification target

With this decision, Rolls-Royce joins a growing list of manufacturers that are scaling back the ambitious electric vehicle targets they set just a few years ago. For example, its direct competitor Bentley announced in 2024 that it would delay its goal of selling only electric cars from 2030 to 2035.

By September 2025, however, Bentley had abandoned its fixed phase-out date entirely. Porsche, too, has since announced new internal combustion engine models, after the German sports car manufacturer changed its own EV targets.

Chris Brownridge, who became CEO in December 2023, clearly sees things differently than its predecessor and has now publicly abandoned the 2030 target. He cites the relaxation of regulatory and legal requirements by governments worldwide, as well as customer demand, as reasons.

“For every client that loves an electric vehicle, there is one who does not,” said Brownridge. “Some clients do want an electric vehicle; we build what is ordered.” Conversely, many customers still prefer a Rolls-Royce with an internal combustion engine: “We recognise some clients would rather have a V12 engine. The V12 is part of our history,” Brownridge told the English newspaper The Times.

The CEO has refused to set a new fixed target for when Rolls-Royce might offer only all-electric vehicles. Deliveries of the Spectre fell to 1,002 units, down 47% from 1,890 vehicles in 2024, the model’s first full year on sale. The figures point to a possible first-mover effect, with early demand driven by launch interest before easing thereafter.

The Spectre’s weak performance likely influenced CEO Brownridge’s decision to abandon the rigid 2030 target. After all, the share of electric vehicles across all deliveries fell to 17.7% in 2025, down from a notable 33% in 2024.