FRANKFURT -- BMW has recorded rising sales of the latest version of its electric car, the i3, following Germany’s decision to offer EV subsidies, a weekly German newspaper reported.
Citing company sources, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung said orders for the new i3 with a longer range of 300km (186 miles) compared with the current 190km (118 miles), which will begin deliveries from mid-July onwards, had risen "many times over" levels seen following the introduction of the car's initial version in 2013.
Total orders for the new version had risen to 5,000 worldwide of which around 1,000 were placed in Germany, ahead of delivery.
"The [buyers'] incentive bonus plays a positive part," the paper quoted a BMW manager as saying.
The automaker was not immediately available to comment.
EV, plug-in subsidies
In May, the German government approved new incentives and tax breaks to boost demand for electric cars in an attempt to meet its target of bringing 1 million EVs onto roads by the end of the decade.
Buyers of electric cars now receive a 4,000-euro ($4,400) discount in a scheme that also pays 3,000 euros towards each purchase of a plug-in hybrid vehicle.
BMW said last month it was overhauling its research and development to focus on self-driving cars for the future.
It also plans a sportier version of the i3 by 2018 and aims to launch the next new electric car in 2021.
Automotive News Europe contributed to this report.
