Today must have been national test day for electric cars. Shortly after catching the R8 E-tron testing in the cold, our spy photographers caught a very interesting model testing. At a first look it appears you are looking at a standard BMW X1->ke2474, but you are actually looking at an all-electric X1.

As you can see from the spy shots the prototype features no exhaust pipes and there are also some Hybrid stickers – an obvious attempt at subterfuge. Our spy photographers lurked around long enough to confirm that this is an EV, as when it finally took off, there was not a peep from a gasoline engine.

We are not too sure if this means that the company is developing an electric version of the X1 or if it is simply testing the technology for other models. Still, considering that BMW->ke178 and Toyota have recently signed an agreement and that Toyota already offers an electric version of the RAV4, you shouldn't be too surprised to see something similar from BMW.

Click past the jump to read more on the X1 EV

2016 BMW X1 EV

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 BMW X1 EV
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Competition

Toyota RAV4 EV

RAV4 EV is among the first electric SUVs to go on sale. It is powered by an electric motor that delivers a total of 154 horsepower and offers a driving range of 103 miles. The model is offered with two driving modes: Sport and Normal. In Sport version the car will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 7 seconds and will go up to 100 mph. In Normal mode, it will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 8.6 seconds with a maximum speed of 85 mph. For those of you interested, the RAV4 EV is priced at $49,800. If the X1 does nit the market, it will likely come in at a much higher price and feature a more luxurious interior.

Tesla Model X

The Model X is still in its concept form, but a production version will also be offered in 2014. It is expected to feature the same powertrains used in the Model S: 40, 60 or 80 kWh battery packs. When equipped with the 40 kWh battery pack, the future Model X will have a driving range of 145 miles and the one equipped with the 80kWh battery pack will deliver about 275 miles. The Model X is likely a better competitor on the luxury end than the RAV4, but in terms of pure performance, we highly doubt the X1 EV will compare to the Tesla SUV.