Top 3 things you need to know about the BMW i3
Top 3 things you need to know about the BMW i3
By Farzana Chaumoo
The BMW i3 has been a key figure in the emerging electric vehicle market. It contains the recipe of not only an eclectic design inside and out but also a groundbreaking powertrain and remarkable construction methods, all combined into a package that is unparalleled in the automobile world today.
1. Larger battery capacity with no increase in battery size.
The batteries in the i3 have been designed and developed independently by the BMW Group as an integral part of the eDrive technology. The lithium-ion high-performance cells are combined with a cooling system that constantly keeps the battery at optimum operating temperature, thus increasing output and service life. The latest range of high-voltage batteries on the new BMW i3 have increased in capacity without any increase in size.
In essence, this allows the BMW i3 to achieve a significantly further enhanced all-electric range. The official range of the BMW i3 is 360 kilometres (previously 290 to 300 km) according to NEDC.
With daily use, the i3 models are now able to cover a distance of 258 km – an increase of almost 30 per cent from the previous 94Ah models. The combined power consumption of the BMW i3 is 13.1kWh per 100 kilometres.
2. Charging
Maintaining reserves and charging the BMW i3 is fed through high-quality electronics to allow fast and flexible charging of the lithium-ion cells compatible with rapid-charging stations, public charging as well as charging at home. Using rapid-charging stations that run on DC power, the charging capacity is 50kW and this way the high voltage battery will reach 80 per cent of its total power in just 42 minutes.
Charging via the BMW i Wallbox enables fast charging with a capacity of 7.4 kW. Here the time required to achieve an 80 per cent charge of the large-capacity high-voltage battery is 4.9 hours. The BMW i Wallbox Connect also extends the functionality of the globally unique BMW Digital Charging Service to provide intelligent charging for optimal cost efficiency and allows customers to make the best use of self-generated solar energy. In addition, it is also possible to control the charging process using a smartphone app.
Meanwhile, the standard charging cable, which is designed to be plugged into a conventional household socket, can be used to charge a BMW i3 to up to 80 per cent of its full power in approximately 15 hours with a charging capacity of 2.3 kW.
3. Retaining sheer driving pleasure with BMW eDrive technology.
Consistent further development of BMW’s eDrive technology has improved the performance of the BMW i3. The BMW i3, powered by a 170hp electric motor and puts out 250 Nm of torque, accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and continue with a strong performance as they approach motorway speeds, setting the benchmark for sporty performance in its segment.
BMW eDrive, the electrical drive component of BMW iPerformance models, delivers maximum driving pleasure almost silently and without local emissions. Three parts form the core of eDrive: the electric motor, the lithium-ion high-performance battery and intelligent energy management.
Recommended: Tasty electric with a dash of petrol - the BMW i3 REX