Customers who are thinking of purchasing a brand new BMW, particularly a 5 Series, 7 Series, or the X7, will be happy to know that they are now recognized as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).

While scouring the Department of Energy’s (DOE) list of recognized HEVs, we noticed that the 5 Series 520i, the 7 Series 735i, and the X7 xDrive40d are now listed as HEVs. That’s right, they now gain several perks like number coding exemption (green plates) and reduced tariffs. For now, it looks like the 520i Hybrid is the first to get a price discount, as it’s now selling for PHP 3.99 million (previously at PHP 5.09 million).

So how did BMW Philippines convince the DOE that the 520i, 735i, and X7 xDrive40d can be categorized as HEVs? Well, the 2.0L turbo four-cylinder of the 520i, the 3.0L turbocharged inline-six of the 735i, and the 3.0L turbo-diesel straight-six of the X7 xDrive40d all benefit from an integrated starter generator (ISG) that puts out an additional 18 PS and 200 Nm of torque.

More importantly, the ISG on these vehicles is powered by a small lithium-ion battery that allows the vehicles to run on electric power while coasting. Under the DOE’s guidelines, this feature is a requirement for such vehicles to be categorized as HEVs. The ISG also allows for regenerative braking, which means the 520i, 735i, and X7 xDrive40d can recharge the lithium-ion battery while braking or coasting.

With some of BMW’s vehicles now recognized by the DOE as HEVs, customers who want a premium vehicle that’s exempt from the number coding scheme can now get one from BMW Philippines. The only question now is, what other BMW vehicles will soon get HEV recognition from the DOE?