Confirmed: all-electric BMW X3 SUV and MINI EV models by 2020

BMW's financial results for the third quater of 2016 have confirmed that all-electric versions of the BMW X3 and MINI hatch are on the way before 2020.

First will be a BMW X3 EV in 2019, which will join the i3 as a model without a combustion engine, though it's likely that the plug-in SUV won't share the 'i' branding. There are no details on the powertrain, but BMW boss Harald Krüger said that "Our consistent achievement of high profitability... enables us to finance future investments from our own resources."

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The X3 EV will be based on the next-generation X3 model, which is set to get a plug-in hybrid version in the range as well. It's possible that the powertrain for that car will use the existing BMW 330e's 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a electric motor, developing 249bhp.

MINI will follow with its own EV in 2020, according to the report. That news comes just after MINI announced the Countryman Cooper S E All4 plug-in hybrid, which uses a 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine and an electric motor for four-wheel drive power and the ability to drive on electric-only power.

Head of product for MINI UK Nicolas Griebner told us recently that "MINI is comitted to electrification," hinting more new electric models would be on the way, and the big-selling MINI hatch appears to be the next recipient of the tech.

Would you buy an all-electric MINI or BMW X3? Let us know why below...