BMW built the same car for gas and electric. The EV is $4,400 cheaper.
News Source
β’Wed, 30 Sep 2026 19:19:40 +0000
π° What Happened
BMW's 2027 3 Series comes in gas and electric versions, and the electric one costs less. The electric i3 50 xDrive is priced at $61,500, while the similar gas M350 xDrive costs $65,900. That makes the EV about 6.7 percent cheaper. Both have similar power and style. The i3 can travel 468 miles on a charge, and fast charging adds 208 miles in 10 minutes.
π The Backstory
Analysts long predicted electric cars would beat gas cars on price, and one research group expected it to happen in 2026. That was hard to test because few electric cars had a matching gas model. EVs used to cost more up front but saved money over time on fuel and upkeep. Now the up-front price gap is closing, and in this case it has flipped.
π― Why It Matters
For buyers, an electric car that costs less than the gas version flips the old rule. It means going electric can save money right away, not just over years, and it pushes other car makers to match.
BMW's 2027 3 Series comes in gas and electric versions, and the electric one costs less. The electric i3 50 xDrive is priced at $61,500, while the similar gas M350 xDrive costs $65,900. That makes the EV about 6.7 percent cheaper. Both have similar power and style. The i3 can travel 468 miles on a charge, and fast charging adds 208 miles in 10 minutes.
Analysts long predicted electric cars would beat gas cars on price, and one research group expected it to happen in 2026. That was hard to test because few electric cars had a matching gas model. EVs used to cost more up front but saved money over time on fuel and upkeep. Now the up-front price gap is closing, and in this case it has flipped.
For buyers, an electric car that costs less than the gas version flips the old rule. It means going electric can save money right away, not just over years, and it pushes other car makers to match.