Munich — BMW's Electric i3 Sedan Undercuts Gas Model by $4,400

BMW will sell its 2027 electric 3 Series sedan for $4,400 less than the equivalent gasoline model, according to pricing TechCrunch reported, marking one of the first direct price comparisons between comparable gas and electric versions of the same vehicle line. The gasoline-powered M350 xDrive starts at $65,900 before destination charges, TechCrunch reported, while the electric i3 50 xDrive starts at $61,500, a gap of 6.7 percent in the EV's favor.

How the Gas and Electric 3 Series Compare on Price and Range

The comparison is notable because BMW built both vehicles to compete in the same market segment, with similar power output and styling, unlike earlier EV-to-gas matchups that pitted electric models against vehicles in different classes, TechCrunch reported. A less expensive gas-only trim, the 2027 330, starts at $49,900, and its xDrive version costs $51,900, but BMW has not yet built an electric equivalent to that trim, according to the outlet.

Range figures also land close together. The gas-powered 3 Series is expected to travel about 450 miles per tank in all-wheel-drive form, similar to earlier model years, TechCrunch reported. BMW says the electric i3 will travel 468 miles on a full charge and can add 208 miles of range in 10 minutes at a fast charger.

Why This Comparison Is Rare Among Automakers

Direct price comparisons between gas and electric versions of the same car have been difficult because few automakers build both powertrains on shared or comparable platforms, TechCrunch reported. Most EVs occupy separate model lines from their gas counterparts, making equivalent comparisons imprecise. BMW's decision to offer both a gas and electric 3 Series in the same generation gives buyers and analysts a rare side-by-side data point, according to the outlet.

Why the EV Underpriced Its Gas Sibling

The price gap exists even though the i3 rides on BMW's newest vehicle platform, while the gas-powered 3 Series uses an updated version of an existing chassis, TechCrunch reported. Automotive analysts had expected EVs to reach price parity with comparable gasoline vehicles sometime in the second half of this decade. BloombergNEF projected the crossover would happen in 2026, according to TechCrunch's reporting, a timeline the BMW pricing appears to support.

EVs have historically carried higher sticker prices than gas vehicles even when their total cost of ownership worked out lower over time, factoring in fuel and maintenance savings, TechCrunch reported. The 3 Series pricing suggests that gap is narrowing at the point of sale as well, not just over years of ownership.

What the Price Gap Means for Buyers

For most drivers, the practical difference between the two 3 Series versions will come down to refueling versus charging rather than raw capability, TechCrunch reported. Both vehicles offer comparable range, and the i3's fast-charging speed narrows the gap further for typical daily use. TechCrunch noted that extreme long-distance drivers may still notice a difference, but for most owners the distinction will be academic.

Neither BMW price includes destination charges, which typically add to the final cost of a new vehicle purchase. Buyers comparing the two trims should factor those fees, along with any regional incentives, into a final out-the-door price before drawing conclusions from the $4,400 gap alone.

What to Watch Next

• Whether BMW extends the i3's newer platform to a lower-priced trim that matches the gas-only 330's $49,900 starting price.
• Whether other automakers begin publishing direct gas-to-EV price comparisons within the same model generation.
• How destination charges and regional incentives shift the final out-the-door price gap between the M350 xDrive and i3 50 xDrive.
• Whether the 2026 price-parity timeline BloombergNEF forecast, as cited by TechCrunch, holds up across other manufacturers' lineups.

What Does This Mean for Total Cost of Ownership Calculations?

Buyers have long been told that EVs cost more upfront but save money over years of ownership through lower fuel and maintenance costs, TechCrunch reported. The BMW comparison complicates that framework by putting the electric i3 ahead on both the sticker price and the ownership-cost side of the ledger. If the $61,500 starting price holds after destination fees are added, buyers would no longer need to wait for fuel savings to offset a higher purchase price, a shift TechCrunch described as EVs gaining the upper hand on purchase price as well as running costs. Whether that pattern holds for other BMW trims, or other manufacturers' lineups, remains to be seen.