BMW has announced the first official details of its 2013 Megacity vehicle, its first series-production electric vehicle. The news came on the eve of the Beijing Motor Show, along with details of collaboration with Chinese partners.

Described as 'a zero-emission urban car for the world's metropolitan regions', it will use lightweight materials to maximise performance and range. According to sources it will be a Golf-sized car with the electric motor in the back, driving the rear wheels. The car will make use of lessons learnt with the test fleet of 600 electric MINI Es.

Fifty of those MINIs will go to China this year and in 2011 they will be joined by a fleet of cars based on the BMW Concept ActiveE. BMW is working with the China Automotive Technology and Research Center and state-owned energy supply company State Grid to assess these vehicles. Ultimately there are plans to produce electric vehicles for the Chinese market in partnership with local manufacturer, Brilliance.

The Megacity vehicle will be launched under a new sub-brand. It seems reasonable to expect BMW to add more zero-emissions vehicles to the range in due course.

John Lambert - 23 Apr 2010