BMW increases prices across the entire model range. This has a particularly drastic effect on the X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid SUV.
On January 26, 2022, BMW published new price lists for most of its series, which should be valid from April 1st. But now, just two months later, they're not worth the paper they were printed on. Because meanwhile BMW sees itself forced to increase the prices again on this date - obviously unscheduled. Anyone who currently calls up the online configurator is confronted with basic prices that are usually four digits higher than those promised at the end of January. This also applies to the X5, in whose plug-in hybrid variant xDrive45e (see slideshow) the price round has a particularly drastic effect.
According to the original plans, the X5 with PHEV drive should cost 77,300 euros from April. The Munich-based company chose this tariff with care, because if the 19 percent VAT is deducted, 64,957.98 euros remain net. The net price of an electrified car is the assessment basis for the state purchase premium, which also applies to the purchase of a plug-in hybrid - if the model selected does not cost more than 65,000 euros net. Means for the BMW X5 xDrive45e: Target just undercut; Buyers are therefore entitled to an environmental bonus totaling EUR 5,625, of which EUR 3,750 is financed from federal funds and EUR 1,875 is covered by the manufacturer.
Suddenly 8,000 euros more expensive instead of 2,000 euros
But now the 394 hp part-time electrician, in which a three-liter straight-six acts as a combustion engine, costs 79,300 euros gross according to the BMW configurator, so 66,638.66 euros net. Means: Because the price increase jumps over the 65,000 euro net limit, the environmental bonus also goes down the drain - and the X5 xDrive45e is not just 2,000, but almost 8,000 euros more expensive for customers. That is a sensitive inflation rate even for a car in this high price segment.
On the one hand, the price increase comes as no surprise, after all, cars are currently becoming more expensive from almost every manufacturer and in many regions of the world - the many reasons for this are well known. The fact that BMW is also taking this step with the PHEV-X5 comes as a bit of a surprise, after all, its state funding was secured in the long term. With a purely electric WLTP range of - depending on the configuration - 77 to 88 kilometers (at least 60 kilometers are required) and official CO2 emissions of less than 50 grams per kilometer, the X5 xDrive45e not only meets the currently applicable rules, um to be eligible for the environmental bonus. Most model versions already manage the minimum distance of 80 kilometers that will apply from August 1, 2022 and are within reach even for the least efficient configurations.
745e overnight 7.600 euros more expensive
A look at BMW's other plug-in hybrids, which will also become more expensive on April 1st, shows what special price increase the X5 xDrive45e is. In the case of smaller PHEV models, the net prices will continue to be below the assessment limit in the future, so that subsidies can continue to flow here. The fact that the gross list price of the top-of-the-line plug-in model 745e jumped from 104,100 to 111,700 euros almost overnight is of little consequence for two reasons. Firstly, the luxury class hybrid is not eligible for PHEV funding anyway. And this is a phased-out model that will probably be replaced by a new 7 Series with a plug-in hybrid drive in 2022.
Conclusion
It seems as if BMW is giving up a huge advantage with the X5 xDrive45e without needing it, in that the Munich-based company is making the PHEV SUV so expensive that it is no longer eligible for state funding. After all, the plug-in hybrid has always been the most popular model version of the series, which is likely to change in view of the significantly rising prices and potential customers will increasingly choose the petrol or diesel variants.
On the other hand, the measure shows how great the pressure is on car manufacturers to somehow maintain production and then make money with their products. The renewed price increase was obviously not planned - the price list mentioned at the beginning shows it. In addition, this development suggests that the net price, which was just squeezed into the funding guidelines, was calculated rather tightly - and can no longer be maintained in view of the radically changed framework conditions.
