The BMW i3 was and is still a fairly distinctive vehicle. It stands out wherever it goes thanks to its monocoque carbon-fiber structure, unique design, and unusual wheels. All of those things were done, though, in order to make the i3 the ideal city car. And most owners believe it to be. How well the work was done from the beginning is evidenced by the fact that the automobile is almost 8 years old and is still selling rather well.
The fact is, purchasing a BMW i3 today results in a few significant variations from the original. The current i3 can store more energy since its battery pack has a larger capacity. Since it must fit in the same space designated under the floor, the battery’s size hasn’t changed between the initial and most recent updates.
As a result, many people have been wondering whether it’s possible to quadruple your range by merely switching out your battery pack rather than purchasing a new one. According to the video below, the answer appears to be yes, but you cannot do it yourself in your garage. The Czech town of Havrla has produced a brief video that explains what has to be done for this to function. And it’s surely not a simple task.
If you plan to get a battery from an i3 with a salvage title, you’ll have to deal with cooling ducts, you’ll need a scanner and a way to replace the battery management system, you’ll need to figure out how to unlock the battery (which is likely to be locked by BMW), and you might also need to do some coding. That’s undoubtedly challenging, but if you’re determined enough, you might succeed in the end. Of course, there is also the possibility that the car’s warranty will be nullified.
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I purchased an I3 because I required a larger mileage after 1.5 years. I was far too lazy to research this car’s operating principles. I merely assumed that finding someone to perform the upgrade for me would be simpler. Unfortunately, I was mistaken; while conducting my investigation, I essentially reached the bottom of hell and got nothing. I had no choice but to start at the beginning and learn everything. So, I’m here. I’m eager, glad, and prepared to assist anyone who want to improve their automobiles by swapping out their basic factory-fitted batteries now that I understand how everything works.
I was able to construct a skilled workshop that was initially solely intended to fix aging vehicles. But as I was building, I realized it would also be a good idea to repurpose it for the battery changes. I purchased all of the tools required for disassembling and reassembling the HV batteries. To work on the new air conditioning circuits with the specialized refrigerant r1234yf, all the tools and jigs were required to be purchased.
And the outcome is… I can upgrade the batteries in BMW I3 cars, therefore here I am for you.
How much does a new BMW i3 battery cost?
- 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. A
- According to a 2016 BMW study, a new i3 battery would cost roughly $16,000. This was for the 22 kWh packs used in the 2013–2016 model years, which came out to $727 per kWh in actual 2016 currency. A
- According to a 2015 InsideEV study, a 21.6 kWh battery pack would cost $13,725 or $635 per kWh. These costs were computed using data from an internet parts retailer. A
What is the price of a BMW i3 battery?
A new battery for a BMW i3 typically costs between $290 and $316. While parts are priced at $191, labor costs are predicted to range between $99 and $125. Taxes and other fees are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or geographic area taken into account. Additional fixes could be required.
When did the BMW i3 receive a larger battery?
BMW revealed a larger 42.2 kWh (120 Ah) battery for the i3 in September 2018. The i3 received minor updates, such as new color options and adaptive headlights. BMW made the decision to stop selling the REX version of the i3 in Europe once the larger battery was introduced. With the larger battery, the unladen weight of the ordinary i3 and the i3s was 1,345 kg (2,965 lb) and 1,365 kg (3,009 lb), respectively.
What is the battery warranty for a BMW i3?
BMW provides an 8 year, 100,000 mile warranty against errors or severe battery degradation. The guarantee provides protection from degradation that exceeds 70% of the coverage. With the sale of the car, the remaining warranty is also transferable. Although many of these do not cover battery replacements, supplemental insurance is available for certified pre-owned i3 purchases.
Tesla batteries: are they upgradeable?
Can a Tesla battery be upgraded? Yes, firmware updates can extend the range of Tesla batteries. If not, you will need to buy a new battery.
How long do batteries on a BMW i3 last?
Battery life for 2021 BMW i3s ranges from three to five years, although it might vary depending on factors including driving style, weather, battery type, and more. Keep your car indoors, away from sharp changes in temperature or climate, to extend the life of your i3 battery.
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.
Can the BMW i3 have a range extender added?
Increases driving enjoyment: The BMW i3’s optional Range Extender, which is situated next to the electric motor in the back of the vehicle, can extend the vehicle’s range in COMFORT Mode from up to 125 miles to a total of 205 miles. The BMW i3 can continue to operate only on electricity thanks to the compact, noiseless two-cylinder petrol engine that powers a generator that keeps the high-voltage battery’s charge level constant. When the battery level is low, the Range Extender automatically turns on.
Is the BMW i3 a trustworthy vehicle?
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.
The BMW i3 with the most 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.
How far 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 BMW i3 has the greatest mileage?
The 2016 BMW i3 owned by Shaun Maidment has just clocked 300,000 kilometers! The most efficient i3 in Africa is Shaun’s car.
In August 2016, Shaun bought a BMW i3. In those five and a half years, this 60 Ah i3 has covered more over 300,000 miles with its original battery! According to EVdatabase, the BMW i3 has a 21.6 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery with a usable capacity of 18.8 kWh and 60 AH cells. The battery in Shaun’s i3 still has roughly 16 kWh of useful capacity after 300,000 miles over five and a half years in warm, sunny South Africa, which is about 85% of its initial useable capacity.
Many of the 300,000 kilometers were traveled on highways. Before South Africa’s fast charging infrastructure was established, Shaun traveled by car from Johannesburg to Cape Town. The i3 that Shaun has is the one with the little gasoline range extender. But back then, he traveled 1500 kilometers without using the modest gasoline generator to help the batteries. The EPA range of the first-generation BMW i3 is roughly 130 kilometres. On the journey, Shaun had to inquire for standard plug points at coffee shops and lodgings. He completed the journey in 5 days. In recent months, as part of his work with Breev, he has been traveling once more throughout South Africa. In South Africa, Breev is extending the rollout of its AC level 2 chargers.
These real-world examples are crucial in the effort to inform and educate people about the potential lifespan of electric vehicle batteries. The majority of people’s practical battery knowledge will be derived through their use of cellphones, conventional 12V automobile batteries, and lead acid stationary storage batteries for their residential solar energy systems. Since they need to be replaced every two years or so, “When do I need to change the battery?” and “How much will it cost to change the battery?” are some of the most often queries we receive from individuals who are unfamiliar with electric vehicles.
Due to the excellent active thermal and battery management technologies found in modern electric vehicles, their lithium-based batteries last a lot longer than is typical. To reassure potential buyers, Toyota, for instance, emphasizes its battery warranty of one million kilometers. These examples from the real world in this region of the world are quite welcome. These practical use cases will go a long way toward allaying the majority of people’s worries about the battery life of contemporary electric vehicles and promoting the uptake of EVs.
He kept studying materials with energy-related applications while he was in college and eventually completed a PhD on the subject of radiation damage in high temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactors. Since then, he has switched to working in the solar and storage sector, and his obsession with batteries has made him a proponent of electric vehicles.