BMW has confirmed its fourth-generation 1 Series hatchback will launch as a 322-horsepower electric vehicle when it debuts in 2028.
The electric 1 Series will compete directly with Mercedes’ upcoming A-Class and Audi’s A2 E-tron. But BMW’s taking a different approach – keeping the traditional hatchback design while its German rivals explore new formats.
The new model will feature ‘Neue Klasse’ design elements borrowed from BMW’s recently launched all-electric i3, iX3, and i7.
Power and Platform Changes
The current BMW 1 Series made a controversial switch to front-wheel drive and dropped the three-door option entirely.
That’s changing with the electric version.
The next-generation car will use BMW’s rear-biased, EV-only Gen6 architecture – the same platform as the i3. This strongly suggests a return to the rear-wheel-drive layout that defined the first two generations of 1 Series models.
The standard electric 1 Series will use a single, rear-mounted motor producing 322 horsepower.
It’ll share the i3’s 800-volt electrical architecture, enabling faster charging speeds than most current EVs.
Range and Battery Details
Don’t expect the 1 Series to match the i3’s impressive range numbers.
The i3 manages 559 miles on a single charge thanks to its massive 108kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery pack. BMW has confirmed the 1 Series will get a smaller battery to keep costs down.
The company hasn’t released specific range figures yet.
Interior Technology
The electric 1 Series cabin will mirror other Neue Klasse models in BMW’s lineup.
That means a 17.9-inch central infotainment display plus BMW’s 43.3-inch ‘Panoramic iDrive’ screen spanning the dashboard’s width.
Selected models will offer an optional four-spoke steering wheel with haptic feedback buttons replacing traditional controls.
Body Style Options
BMW says the flexible Gen6 platform could allow a return to the three-door hatchback configuration that disappeared after the second-generation model.
The scalable architecture gives BMW more flexibility in body styles than the current front-wheel-drive setup allows.
Expected Pricing
BMW hasn’t announced pricing for the electric 1 Series yet – it’s still nearly two years away from launch.
The smaller dimensions and reduced range compared to the i3 suggest a starting price around £30,000. That would undercut the i3 by approximately £20,000, positioning the electric 1 Series as BMW’s entry-level EV offering.
The 2028 launch timeline puts BMW’s electric 1 Series in direct competition with a new wave of compact premium EVs hitting the market in the late 2020s.
