THE first all-electric SUV from BMW is on the way with the announcement that the Bavarian car maker is planning to launch a battery powered version of the X3 next year.

With a long-range battery pack the iX3 is the latest model in BMW's electric-only stable and is said to be able to travel up to 285 miles on a full charge.

Recharging can be done to 80 per cent capacity in 34 minutes and 60 per cent of the range can be recovering in just 10 minutes from a fast charger.

From a home charging point a full recharge is said to take 7.5 hours.

Boot space is slightly compromised compared to a regular X3 at 510 litres as opposed to 550 litres but that's still on the large side and maximum cargo capacity is 1,560 litres.

BMW says that on the performance front the electric model is almost as quick as the BMW X3 xDrive30i with a 0 to 60 acceleration time of 6.8 seconds. Top speed of the iX3 is limited at 112mph.

Other than minor aerodynamic tweaks to the design, notably around the grille and with the wheels, the car is almost identical to a regular X3. Blue detailing has been added to the trim inside and out to denote its electric status.

Onboard software includes BMW's latest operating system which allows for updates ‘over the air' while the iX3 is fully smartphone compatible.

Eventually, a range of onboard sounds will be available which change depending on what the car is doing and those have been devised in a partnership BMW has struck with Hollywood movie composer Hans Zimmer.

Prices and more details are due for release later this year although it is understood the iX3 will cost in the region of £60,000 when it arrives in the summer of 2021.