Which BMWs Have an Electric Rear Motor? Clearly Explained
Image: BMW IX3 rear electric motor engine for sale at mtautoparts.com
BMW has always believed that the best way to drive a car is from the back. Rear-wheel drive wasn’t just a layout choice for BMW, it became part of the brand’s identity. What’s easy to miss is that, even as BMW moved into electric and hybrid power, that philosophy never really changed. Instead of abandoning rear-wheel drive, BMW quietly electrified it.
So if you’ve ever wondered which BMWs have an electric rear motor, and what that actually means in practice, here’s a clear explanation, written for real owners, not engineers.
First things first: what does “electric rear motor” mean on a BMW?
This phrase gets used loosely, and that’s where confusion starts.
On a BMW, an electric rear motor usually means one of two things:
A dedicated electric motor mounted at the rear axle (common on full electric BMWs)
An electric motor integrated into the gearbox, which still sends power to the rear wheels (common on plug-in hybrids)
The hardware differs, but the outcome is the same: the rear wheels are doing the driving.
Fully electric BMWs with a rear motor
BMW’s electric cars are rear-wheel drive at heart. In fact, most BMW EVs start life as rear-driven cars, with a front motor added only when all-wheel drive is needed.
Models like the i3, i4, i5, i7 and iX all use a rear electric motor as their primary drive unit. In rear-wheel-drive versions, that single motor does all the work. In xDrive versions, BMW adds a second motor at the front, but the rear motor remains central to how the car feels on the road. BMW deliberately keeps these cars rear-biased because it gives better balance, cleaner steering and a more natural feel under acceleration.
Plug-in hybrids: electric power still going to the rear
This is where things often get misunderstood. Most BMW plug-in hybrids don’t have a separate electric motor bolted directly to the rear axle. Instead, the electric motor is built into the transmission. When the car runs in electric mode, that motor sends power through the drivetrain to the rear wheels. From the driver’s seat, it still feels like rear-wheel drive, quiet, smooth and predictable, especially at lower speeds.
Cars such as the 330e, 530e, X3 xDrive30e and X5 xDrive45e or 50e all follow this layout. The petrol engine and electric motor work together, but the rear wheels remain the main driven axle in normal driving.
BMW's with an electric rear motor – quick overview
Here’s how it looks across BMW’s modern range:
What about BMWs with motors on both axles?
On newer electric xDrive models, BMW uses a true dual-motor setup. One motor sits at the rear, the other at the front, and there’s no mechanical connection between them. Software constantly decides where the power should go.
In everyday driving, the rear motor usually does most of the work. The front motor steps in when traction, performance or efficiency calls for it. It’s modern technology, but the driving feel is still very much BMW.
Why BMW sticks with rear electric motors
There’s a simple reason BMW keeps favouring the rear axle, even in the electric era.
A rear electric motor offers:
Better weight distribution
More natural steering feel
Strong traction under acceleration
A driving balance that doesn’t feel front-heavy
From an ownership point of view, rear-mounted electric motors are also compact, self-contained units. That matters as these cars age, especially when it comes to diagnostics, replacement and reuse of major auto parts.
Does this really matter day to day?
Most drivers won’t think about motor placement when commuting or doing the school run, but they’ll feel it. BMW's with rear electric motors tend to feel calmer, more planted and more predictable when pulling away or driving briskly.
It’s the same reason rear-wheel drive worked so well for BMW in the petrol and diesel era. Electric power hasn’t changed that.
Final thoughts
BMW didn’t abandon rear-wheel drive when it went electric. In many cases, it simply swapped the engine for an electric motor and carried on doing what it has always done best.
If it’s a fully electric model like the i4 or a plug-in hybrid like the 330e, electric power is very often delivered through the rear wheels. That consistency isn’t marketing, it’s BMW staying true to its engineering philosophy, even as the technology evolves.
FAQs
Does having an electric rear motor mean a BMW is rear-wheel drive?
Most of the time, yes. If a BMW has a single electric motor at the back, that motor drives the rear wheels. On xDrive models, there’s also a motor at the front, but the rear one usually does most of the work in normal driving.
Are all electric BMWs rear-wheel drive?
Not all, but BMW clearly prefers it. Many electric BMWs start as rear-wheel drive and only add a front motor when all-wheel drive is needed. That’s very deliberate; it keeps the balance and steering feel closer to what BMW drivers expect.
Plug-in hybrids confuse me. Are they really rear-driven in electric mode?
They are, just in a different way. Most BMW plug-in hybrids don’t have a separate electric motor sitting on the rear axle. Instead, the electric motor lives inside the gearbox and sends power through the drivetrain to the rear wheels. From the driver’s seat, it still feels like rear-wheel drive.
So what’s the actual difference between a rear motor and a gearbox motor?
A rear motor is a standalone electric unit bolted directly to the rear axle, common on full EVs. A gearbox-integrated motor sits inside the transmission and works alongside the engine, common on hybrids. Different layouts, same outcome: electric power going to the rear wheels.
Why doesn’t BMW just drive the front wheels like many other EVs?
Because it changes how the car feels. Driving the rear wheels keeps the steering cleaner, avoids torque steer and gives better balance when accelerating. BMW has always cared about how a car feels mid-corner and pulling away, and electric power hasn’t changed that.
Will I actually notice this in daily driving?
You probably won’t think about it, but you’ll feel it. BMW's with rear electric drive tend to feel calmer and more planted when setting off, especially in wet conditions or when accelerating hard. It’s subtle, but it’s there.
Is a rear electric motor better for performance?
Generally, yes. Rear motors handle acceleration better because weight naturally shifts backwards when you speed up. That means stronger traction and a more controlled feel, especially with instant electric torque.
Does motor placement matter for repairs later on?
It can. Rear electric motors are usually compact, self-contained units. As these cars get older, that can make diagnosis, removal and replacement more straightforward, which is important when you’re dealing with high-value components.
On xDrive electric BMWs, do both motors work all the time?
No. In everyday driving, the rear motor usually does most of the work. The front motor comes in when the car needs extra grip, stability or performance. It’s all controlled by software, but the rear-biased feel remains.
Can electric rear motors be replaced on their own?
In many cases, yes. They’re typically modular units. Availability and cost depend on model and generation, which is why checking exact specifications and VIN details always matters when sourcing parts. And if you are looking for BMW electric parts, check out mtautopats.com. We have many BMW auto parts available for electric BMW models.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Drivetrain layouts and specifications can vary by model year and market. Always check vehicle details or VIN information before purchasing parts or making technical decisions.
