For both of its variants, the 2021 BMW i3 has an all-electric driving range of 153 miles. With the aid of a backup combustion engine and an optional range extender, the i3a’s overall driving range can be increased to 200 miles. A
In order to increase all-electric car research and manufacturing, BMW introduced the BMW I brand in 2011. The sub-first brand’s entirely electric vehicle, the BMW i3, debuted for the 2014 model year. This first EV was retired in 2021, but it prepared the way for other models like the 2022 i4, 2022 iX, and the much awaited 2023 i7, which were all new and improved. A A
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EPA’s range projections
The 2019 and 2020 i3 and i3s were given a 153-mile rating by the EPA. This represents an improvement over the 2018 i3 and i3s. The i3 and i3s were each given 114 and 107 miles, respectively, for that model year. For the 2019 model year, the vehicle received a new, larger battery pack with a 442 kWh capacity, extending its EPA-rated range.
Given that the i3s has larger tires and more power, InsideEVs expressed astonishment that the i3 and i3s had the same EPA-rated range. It anticipated that the i3s’s range would be less than the i3’s, not equal. The i3 is also available in range-extended models that add a gas engine to the electric one, bringing the combined range up to 200 miles.
Information about the BMW I3
When it was first introduced, the compact electric car from the Bavarian automaker had a rather small 33kWh battery that, according to the EPA, offers 114 miles of driving range. The town benefits, but practically everything else suffers. Naturally, BMW made an effort to counter that with the REx model, which used a gasoline engine to give the batteries extra power. Range, though, was obviously set too low.
Therefore, a German energy storage startup called Lion Smart just unveiled their own battery pack for the i3 in order to demonstrate the capabilities of this modular platform. This “Light Battery” pack concept, which is still in development, employs a modular architecture intended to lower costs and enhance safety. But for the BMW i3, that means the German automaker stuffed a 100kWh high-density battery pack inside the vehicle. This results in a range of around 435 miles (700 kilometers).
This is a remarkable improvement over the OEM range offered by the vehicle, however it’s still unclear whether it is based on the NEDC or WLTP cycle, or the company’s own internal testing. That same range is also what BMW anticipates for their own iNext EV, which will make its debut in 2022, making the situation even more enticing. Actually, it appears that BMW, along with other German automakers, developed cutting-edge modular technology for its new vehicles. They fall short, though, in the battery sectors.
In the video below, you can find out all about the BMW i3 they utilized and the Lion Light battery technology. This battery pack was created using some outstanding engineering and design concepts, enabling it to be entirely adjustable in terms of capacity, voltage, and physical dimensions.
Battery Life, Charging, and Range
The Bolt EV’s 60.0-kWh battery and its EPA rating of 259 miles dwarf the i3’s 42.2-kWh battery pack’s 153-mile all-electric driving range rating. Similar to the Model 3, the Model 3 has a maximum range of 353 miles on its largest battery. However, only the i3 features a range-extension generator that starts when the battery’s charge drops below 5 percent and is powered by gasoline.
Range of the i3 – Explanation
Your i3’s range may occasionally appear to be lower than the predicted value after completely charging. You see 65 miles (BEV model) as opposed to 85–100 miles. So what is happening?
Based on your driving history, the settings in your car, and its computer, your range is predicted. Additionally, it’s possible that your previous driving experience—perhaps with an icy or misted windscreen at the start—will have an impact on the range you’ve calculated for your upcoming trip. Hilly terrain increases battery drain as the car climbs; windy conditions, even if very marginally, require more electrical energy to drive through a headwind, and all that extra energy has to come from someplace. Nighttime and rainy weather also require headlights and wipers.
You’ll need to re-train the range-o-meter to start giving you a greater mileage if you’re only getting 65 miles of range on a full charge. It will be necessary to make a few driving style adjustments and make a few menu adjustments, which should change your anticipated range over a few days or recharges.
How many miles can a BMW i3 travel?
What is the BMW i3 EV’s driving range? The EPA estimates that the BMW i3 has a range of 153 miles. The electric-only range is reduced to 126 miles when the two-cylinder gas engine range extender is added, but the overall range is increased to 200 miles. The Tesla Model 3 and Chevrolet Bolt are still ahead in terms of battery-electric automobiles.
What is the BMW i3’s charging speed?
The BMW i3 can accept up to 50 kW of power, and BMW believes that using a 50 kW or higher DC fast charger will reduce the recharge time to 40 minutes.
Is the BMW i3 trustworthy?
Is a pre-owned BMW i3 hatchback trustworthy? The i3 placed fourth out of nine electric vehicles in its class, receiving a score of 94.1% in our most recent dependability study. A solid achievement for BMW as a brand, placing 13th out of 30 manufacturers.
Can the BMW i3 handle snow?
The BMW i3 might appear to be terrible in the snow at first glance. It’s an all-electric BMW with rear-wheel drive, so its rapid torque may easily rip the rear tires off. It weighs about 2,800 lbs., which makes it relatively light and prevents it from pressing through the snow and into the pavement like heavier cars do. So it seems sense that the i3 is a little dicey during the winter. The small i3, though, isn’t all that horrible when the roads turn white, as this video from TFLC demonstrates.
In this video, a brief overview of the BMW i3 REx’s performance in the snow is shown when it is equipped with Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires. Winter tires are essential for all vehicles in the snow, especially rear-wheel drive electric vehicles, thus that last sentence is significant.
The tiny i3 is actually quite good in powder when outfitted with those Blizzaks. Acceleration is acceptable as long as you don’t pin the throttle, as said in the video, and it will really take off from a stop with little to no drama. The BMW i3 actually has good braking in the snow. Regenerative braking, which substantially slows down the wheels without actually engaging the brakes, helps the vehicle’s brakes, it is true.
The BMW i3 maintains a remarkable level of composure—even when trying to perform donuts in a deserted, wintry parking lot. You would assume it would slip all over the place and perform careless donuts. Though it struggles, the traction control of the i3 cannot be completely overpowered. That simply shows that the traction control on the BMW i3 will probably save your snowy electric butt if you do slide the car around in the snow by accident.
Overall, the i3 isn’t as horrible in the snow as most people believe. Even though the BMW i3 is rear-wheel drive, lightweight by today’s standards, and boasts quick electric torque, it is surprisingly capable in winter conditions—as long as you have the proper tires.
How frequently does a BMW i3 need maintenance?
Compared to gasoline or diesel vehicles, the majority of electric vehicles require far less regular maintenance. For the Renault Zoe2, for instance, Renault recommends intervals of 18,000 miles as opposed to 9,000 miles for its petrol vehicles.
Like combustion-engined vehicles, Volkswagen electric vehicles, such as the ID.3 and ID.4, have a defined maintenance plan, with the first inspection necessary after two years. After that, a service is advised to be performed annually or every 18,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Hyundai’s petrol and hybrid vehicles have identical electric vehicle service plan intervals at 10,000-mile intervals in the first year, 20,000 miles in the second year, and so on, depending on which milestone is reached first. The service intervals for the BMW i3 are two years or 18,000 miles.
The fact that almost all auto manufacturers provide an electric vehicle service plan makes servicing an electric vehicle easier. Similar to a cell phone contract, they can be paid monthly or up front and give you access to a set list of features.
For three years and 30,000 miles, Renault’s Zoe electric car service plan costs PS299, compared to PS499 for a petrol or diesel car over the same time period.
Service contracts for Audi’s selection of E-tron models start at a one-time cost of PS299.25. This covers one servicing, one replacement of the pollen filter, and one brake fluid replacement. For a 2.0-liter combustion model, a service package costs PS449.25.
Vauxhall provides a core electric car service for the first year of ownership starting at PS90 and going up to PS239 with the addition of a cabin filter check. The three years of servicing that come with a new Vauxhall EV, however, should save you from having to pay anything.
The first, second, and third yearly services, two years of Vauxhall Roadside Assistance, and the first MOT are all included in a brand-new combustion Vauxhall service plan, which starts at PS19 per month for a three-year term.
Generally speaking, ‘wear and tear’ items like brake parts, tires, and windscreen wiper blades are not covered by service plans.
Additionally, you might be able to lower the expense of maintaining your EV. For instance, driving for extended periods of time with a battery charge of less than 20 percent can reduce battery life.
An EV battery typically comes with an eight-year warranty. The technical warranty for the automobile itself, which is often three, five, or seven years, is far shorter than this, which is reassuring.
While under warranty, an electric vehicle must be serviced by a franchised dealer. Once this has passed, though, you might discover that it is less expensive to take it to a separate garage for repairs. Finding a specialist qualified to perform maintenance can be more difficult because EV technology is still relatively new, but the good news is that it’s not insurmountable.
The BMW i3 is being retired for what reason?
It is extremely heartbreaking to see BMW discontinue its little electric hatchback after nine years on the market given how great it was.
In 2011, as interest in electric vehicles increased, the BMW i3 was first unveiled as a concept car. The design was later evolved into a working model that was released for purchase in 2013 as a 2014 model. The BMW i3 has enjoyed considerable success since that time. The compact electric hatchback from BMW has sold over 250,000 units and was named the World Car Design and World Green Car of the Year winners at the 2014 World Car Awards.
Unfortunately, all wonderful things must eventually come to an end. BMW terminated the i3 in all markets in July 2022 after ceasing manufacturing for the US market in July 2021. The company cited consumer demand for larger-than-the-i3 electric automobiles as justification for the withdrawal. Another reason is that the manufacturer wants to move away from the i3’s distinctive appearance and produce electric vehicles with more traditional styling. The BMW i4 and BMW iX models are taking the place of the i3 as a result. We are sad to see the i3 depart, but there are other reasons as well.
How much time does it take a BMW i3 to charge at home?
At home, a 3-pin plug can take 11–12 hours to charge. It may take 4 hours to charge a Wallbox Plus. Depending on the type of connection, DC charging at gas stations might take anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours.