BMW has confirmed that its i3, electric city car will also be offered with a range extender when it goes on sale later this year in the UK, thus effectively adding a new model to the range.
BMW’s electric revolution
The BMW i3 is a completely new car, designed and built from scratch using a carbon fibre chassis and plastic body panels so that it’s light yet incredibly strong.
The technology has far reaching implications for all BMWs, and you can read all about in in Richard’s fascinating blog posted from Munich.
A senior source at BMW confirmed that the range extension would come from a heavily modified, two-cylinder petrol engine drawn from the motorbike division, BMW Motorrad.
The engine will sit next to the electric motor at the rear of the car. When needed, it will charge the batteries but will not drive the vehicle directly.
BMW also claimed that real-world range for the range-extender BMW i3 will be 160-200 miles, double the figure for the electric-only version.
The Munich, Germany-based company made no comment on pricing, but customers can expect to pay a premium for the range extender version of the i3.
The range extender is the third BMW i3 variant so far announced, with a two-door coupe version shown at the Los Angeles Motor Show last December. The i3 being launched in the UK later this year is a four door hatch back.
Improvements to the technology, and continued upward pressure on company car tax are making electric cars look a more realistic option for urban business users.
You should also read our Blog on BMW’s electric revolution.
