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The same is true of electric vehicles, which depend on a variety of people to function.
Some clients choose a battery-only electric car because they never want to handle gasoline again. Others like the convenience that a plug-in hybrid or range-extended electric vehicle provides.
With the 2014 i3, BMW gives you both, but which should you choose if you’re undecided?
Tom Moloughney, a longtime participant in the BMW electric program, has looked at this issue on the BMW Blog, and his observations on each vehicle should help you choose which i3 model is the better one for you.
Whether the i3’s 81-mile EPA-rated range will be adequate to suit your needs will play a significant role in that decision.
With a combined rating of 124 MPG from a 22 kWh lithium-ion battery, 81 miles makes the i3 the most effective battery electric car on the market (138 MPGe city, 111 MPGe highway).
However, it can also be too limited for some customers, in which case the range-extended variant is useful.
According to Moloughney, potential i3 buyers fall into one of four categories. The first group consists of potential buyers who are interested in the vehicle but for whom 81 miles is too few and the REx model is unsuitable.
The second can accept the 81-mile battery-electric vehicle’s (BEV) limits and choose it. The third, which includes Moloughney, would prefer the BEV but went for the range-extended model out of caution.
The fourth group chooses the range-extender model because they enjoy the concept of it right away.
In essence, it’s the same choice that owners of other electric vehicles may have made in the past when deciding between the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, two of the best-selling models on the market.
Similar to those two vehicles, the battery-only model will initially cost you less money. The range-extended i3 will cost an extra $3,850 at the time of purchase.
Due to its reduced weight, the all-electric i3 performs a little bit better, costs less to purchase, and you’ll never have to step foot on a gas station forecourt again.
The i3 REx is slightly more expensive and offers less performance. However, it doubles the vehicle’s actual range for the few occasions when you might need it.
However, there is one more thing that can turn you away from the REx: if you reside in California, the i3 REx only qualifies for a supply-limited green carpool lane sticker as opposed to the white sticker for all-electric vehicles.
On the other hand, both models are eligible for the full $2,500 California State Purchase Rebate.
One more point: according to Moloughney, BMW will closely track the sales of BEVs and REx.
If the majority of customers choose the 81-mile electric model, BMW will interpret this as evidence that 81 miles is a sufficient range for most users.
BMW’s next generation of electric vehicles may be available with a longer range if REx sales are higher than they otherwise might have been since buyers obviously demand a longer range from their i3s.
That’s hardly a reason to choose the REx on its own, but if you’re a fan of BMW and expecting for longer-range electric cars in the future, it might be one way to convince BMW of your argument.
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SERPRESULT
Overall range of its 22 kWh lithium-ion battery is 81 miles.
It has a spacious cabin with a ton of features and a range of about 87 miles.
Drive and charging are electric
The main attraction of this vehicle is a 125kW electric motor coupled to a single-speed transmission giving power to the rear wheels, located just behind the second row and beneath the i3’s rear storage compartment. That translates to 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque in a typical automobile. The car’s minimal mass and the electric motor’s instant-on torque make it capable of accelerating swiftly. Additionally, BMW has accomplished an amazing job of providing virtually completely silent acceleration, free of the mechanical gear whining that occasionally comes from electric power trains.
The i3’s 22kWh battery pack, which the EPA says will power the vehicle for 74 miles between recharges, provides energy to the motor. Utilizing a Level 2 public charger will take roughly 5 hours, whereas using BMW’s I Charging Station (240V/7.4kW) will take about 3.5 hours. The BMW i3 also comes with a wall charger, however at 110V, it will take significantly longer than 12 hours to recharge using this method.
How many miles can a 2014 BMW i3 travel?
The i3 is the most effective battery-electric vehicle on the market, with a 124 MPG-e rating, after only 81 miles from a 22 kWh lithium-ion battery.
How far can the BMW i3 actually travel?
The sole all-electric vehicle in the high-end small car segment is the 2014 BMW i3. A 170-horsepower electric engine with a one-speed transmission and rear-wheel drive powers this four-door hatchback. Overall range of its 22 kWh lithium-ion battery is 81 miles.
What is the BMW i3’s actual range?
In the upmarket small car segment, only the 2014 BMW i3 is all electric. The 170-horsepower electric powertrain in this four-door hatchback is mated to a one-speed transmission and rear-wheel drive. It has a total range of 81 miles thanks to its 22 kWh lithium-ion battery.
How long does the battery in a 2014 BMW i3 last?
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. Similarly, the Model 3’s largest battery allows for a maximum distance of 353 miles.
What vehicle will succeed the BMW i3?
Replacement of the BMW i3’s 12V battery: A Step-by-Step Guide Front trunk, open it. Take off the covers on the passenger and driver sides of the front trunk. Remove the High Voltage Safety Connector from the Main Battery (Service Disconnect) Use a safety pin to block the disconnect and avoid unintentional reactivation.
BMW i3 dependability
If you’re searching for an electric car that’s convenient to drive around town and has a sleek, upscale cabin, the BMW i3 is definitely worth taking into consideration. But you’ll spend more for the i3’s great appearance and quality than you will for its more affordable substitutes, similar to how an iPad compares to a white-label Android tablet.
My BMW i3 can I add a range extender?
What is the battery warranty for an i3 that is either new or used? BMW provides an 8 year, 100,000 mile warranty against flaws or severe battery degradation.
How far can a BMW i3 travel on a single charge?
According to BMW, the i3 variants have a range of between 177 and 193 miles, depending on the choices and equipment. In actual use, aim for 140–150 miles, averaging at least four miles per kWh.
What is the 2014 BMW i3 battery warranty?
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.
What does a BMW have high mileage?
The new iX1 SUV will replace BMW’s dependable i3. After nine years, BMW has declared that i3 production has come to an end, putting an end to its enduring and ground-breaking tiny electric car.
How long will a battery for a BMW i3 last?
Cost of a replacement BMW i3 battery On eBay, a battery pack for a BMW i3 that had a capacity of 22 kWh at one point but is now only about 17.14 kWh is going for $2,500. This works out to about $145 per kWh. According to BMW, replacing an i3 battery would cost roughly $16,000 in 2016.
Who produces the BMW i3 battery?
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.
A BMW i3 will it rust?
What kind of mileage does a BMW have to have? Although the average BMW can travel between 100,000 and 250,000 miles, excessive mileage is actually regarded as being a little less than this. Most dealers won’t carry BMWs with mileage over 100,000, and some even think 60-80,000 is a high mileage range for these vehicles.
How much does a BMW i3 battery replacement cost?
BMW claims a range of 182 miles, which was once impressive, but vehicles like the Peugeot e-208 can travel more than 200 miles and are far more affordable.
How long does it take a charging station to fully charge a BMW i3?
Does the BMW i3 REx utilize gasoline then? The short response is no. It’s crucial to remember that the i3 REx still has an electric motor that propels the vehicle.
Can I replace the BMW i3’s battery?
The majority of EV batteries today have a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years inside the car, plus an additional life. It’s also important to keep in mind that EV battery technology is still developing, so as technology advances, we may expect batteries to last longer while simultaneously being cheaper, smaller, and even lighter.
Can a new battery be purchased for a BMW i3?
Increases driving enjoyment: The BMW i3’s optional Range Extender, which is placed next to the electric motor in the back, can extend the vehicle’s range in COMFORT Mode by up to 125 miles, for a total of 205 miles.
Can you only use gas to power an i3?
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-i3 electric vehicles as the basis for the withdrawal.
Is the i3 still a good investment?
Your bolts, nuts, rotors, calipers, springs, and every other metal component on your BMW i3 will ultimately rust out. You shouldn’t be concerned about the automobile as long as there is no surface rust on the plastic, carbon fiber, and glass components.
How long does a battery in an electric car typically last?
Replacement high voltage batteries for the BMW i3 hybrid typically cost between $13,083 and $13,238. The projected labor cost is between $594 and $749, while the estimated cost of the parts is $12,489. Taxes and levies are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or special location taken into account.