The fuel tank capacity of the 2020 BMW i3 is 2.3 gallons.
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The American BMW i3 REx Actually Has A 2.4 Gallon Gas Tank, But Ingenious Software Only Allows For 1.9 Gallons Of Fueling
One of the primary differences between the American and European versions of the BMW i3 REx was the size of the gasoline tank. The fuel tank capacity was reportedly decreased from 2.4 gallons to 1.9 gallons because BMW requires the i3 REx to qualify as a BEVx and one of the conditions of the BEVx is that the car has a smaller gasoline range than it has electric range.
A reduced driving range on the range extender itself results from the capacity reduction of 21%.
Recent discoveries show that the i3 REx’s fuel tank capacity was not physically lowered but rather electronically managed. By turning off the fuel pump at 1.9 gallons, this was achieved.
The tech gurus on the BMW i3 Facebook Group have discovered a way to get rid of the restriction, but as always, you should proceed at your own risk because doing so is not supported by BMW and could void your warranty.
The BMW i3’s claimed mileage of 1,000 miles per gallon is 56,000 miles.
By utilizing gasoline engines as onboard backup generators, the few models of range-extended electric cars that are now on the market give drivers more options.
However, if the range extender is used excessively, it may use a substantial amount of gasoline, essentially defeating the purpose of owning an electric car.
About two years ago, when Tom Moloughney made the decision to purchase one of the first BMW i3 electric vehicles in the United States, he was presented with this choice.
After much consideration, he opted for the range-extended i3 REx over the battery-powered model.
He is now certain that he made the right choice after traveling 56,000 miles over the course of 27 months.
According to a post on Moloughney’s BMW i3 blog, over that time the i3 REx utilized only 50 gallons of fuel and little over 15,000 kilowatt hours of energy.
Moloughney estimates that he has driven 96 percent of the time so far using only battery power.
Although fill-ups have really been much less frequent than that, the quantity of fuel used is equivalent to filling the BMW’s 1.9-gallon gas tank approximately once a month, according to Moloughney.
Despite taking the i3 REx on lengthy road journeys that necessitate frequent short refueling stops, he claimed to have gone as long as four or five months without purchasing gas.
The car’s 0.65-liter 2-cylinder range extender saw its most frequent use on those trips as it wasn’t typically required for regular driving.
The range extender was also put to greater use during New Jersey’s chilly winters, when the reduction in temperature had a considerable effect on battery life.
When in usage, Moloughney got an average of 38 mpg, which is a little less than the combined 39 mpg that the EPA rates it at.
The i3 receives its first significant facelift for the 2017 model year since being on sale in the United States in May 2014.
The battery’s capacity increases by 50%, from 22 to 33 kilowatt hours, and BMW claims the all-electric version’s rated range will be up to 114 miles combined.
The tank in every i3 REx has always been 2.4 gallons, however U.S.-spec vehicles had an electronic limit of 1.9 gallons.
The small tank made it possible for the range-extended model to comply with an obscure California state regulation that requires zero-emission vehicles, keeping the gasoline range about equal to or less than the car’s electric range.
Moloughney claims he can complete a refueling stop in under two minutes, although many i3 REx owners have “chipped” their vehicles to unlock the additional capacity—a step that won’t be necessary with the 2017 model.
THE 2017 BMW I3 HAS FIVE AMENDMENTS
A few years back, when BMW originally unveiled the i3 electric vehicle, the auto industry was very different. Although electric automobiles had already been introduced, they were not yet the buzz of the town like they are now.
The time has come for BMW to enhance its EV, offering it even more range and functionality because the BMW i3 helped bring the electric vehicle market to where it is today. The 2017 BMW i3 is the end product.
When the 2017 BMW i3 comes to Elite BMW in Ottawa, it will feature a larger battery. In fact, the 33 kWh battery pack that will replace the existing 22 kWh battery will power the new i3’s electric powertrain. The battery pack will be the same size as the previous battery and be significantly heavier despite being more powerful.
The range extender, which is still available for 2017, is one of the i3’s most distinguishing features. Range anxiety is eliminated with the range extender because the electric BMW can continue to operate even when the battery is discharged. Therefore, the 2017 BMW i3 offers all the environmental advantages of an electric vehicle with the range options of a conventional vehicle.
There will be even greater range before you need to stop for petrol in 2017 thanks to the range extender’s capacity increase from 1.9 to 2.4 gallons.
The new 2017 BMW i3’s keyword is indeed range. The new i3’s range increases from 130 kilometers to 183 kilometers thanks to the bigger 33-kWh battery, enabling longer travels without burning even a drop of fuel. You can travel further even after the batteries run out thanks to the range extender’s larger capacity.
The inside of the 2017 BMW i3 has been updated while maintaining the distinctive style of the previous generation and utilizing solely eco-friendly materials. However, new trims and finishes will be offered.
Last but not least, Protonic Blue, a new exterior shade for the 2017 BMW i3, will help it stand out even more in Ottawa’s automotive scene.
How much gasoline does the BMW i3 consume?
20-inch winter tires are on wheel cluster 2. The chosen wheel and tyre sizes affect the values for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, and power consumption.
The driving range is affected by a number of variables, including: individual driving habits, the route chosen, the weather, and the use of heating, cooling, and preconditioning.
The guidelines on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of new automobiles, which are freely available at all retail locations and from DAT Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH, Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern, Germany, provide additional information on the official fuel consumption and on the official specific CO2 emissions of new automobiles.
The BMW i3 with Range Extender’s engine exhaust gas that is used to charge the high-voltage battery complies with EU6 emissions regulations. The ECE driving cycle (93/116/EC), which consists of around one third urban traffic and two thirds extra-urban driving, is used to calculate fuel consumption. In addition to measuring fuel use, CO2 emissions are also measured. Calculations of fuel consumption use automobiles with standard equipment. Fuel economy and driving performance can be significantly impacted by special equipment, such as bigger tires.
Super unleaded 95 RON fuel is advised by BMW. Additionally allowed is unleaded fuel with an ethanol content limit of 10% (E10) or higher and RON 91 or higher. Based on the use of RON 98 fuel, the listed performance and fuel consumption rates.
The data are supplied simply for the purpose of comparison between various vehicle types; they are not based on a specific vehicle and do not form a part of the product offer.
According to Directive 1999/94/EC, CO2 emissions from the production and distribution of gasoline and other energy sources are not included in the calculation of CO2 emissions.
Is there a gas engine in the i3?
i3 EV Motor Acceleration occurs fast and seamlessly from the single-speed automatic transmission. Both the i3 and i3s models with the range extender pair their respective motors with a 0.6-liter two-cylinder gas engine.
Can a BMW i3 be driven just on gas?
The short response is no. It’s vital to remember that the i3 REx still propels itself using an electric motor. Additionally, the REx engine kicks in when the battery capacity reaches a predetermined threshold, producing electricity to increase the range.
How do BMW i3s operate?
The BMW i3’s electric motor functions as a generator during energy recovery, turning the vehicle’s kinetic energy into electric power that is then stored in the high-voltage battery. Keep your foot off the accelerator pedal to increase energy recovery and strengthen braking.
Do I3’s require premium gas?
BMW makes the unusual claim that they “recommend” using 91 octane petrol in the i3Visit the i3 Forum manual, but the “minimum” octane rating is really 89.
The BMW i3 is entirely electric.
The 2021 i3 includes a gas-powered range extender for individuals who don’t trust driving on electricity alone, in contrast to other electric cars on the market (excluding hybrids). Even with the fossil-fuel backup, we wouldn’t drive far in our i3. Instead, we would choose the electric-only model and mostly utilize it for our daily commute on short highway segments and within the city. Although the i3s is supposed to be more enjoyable to drive, we recommend sticking with the most affordable variant. Although there aren’t many choices besides exterior and interior colors, we’d pick the Giga World package. It features heated front seats, Apple CarPlay compatibility, and GPS in addition to its distinctive brown leather and gray fabric upholstery.
A BMW i3 need charging, right?
The DC Rapid charge preparation that comes standard on every BMW i3 enables the vehicle to charge from a combination charging system (CCS) charge point to 80% in as little as 40 minutes. On the navigation system, under places of interest, you can find a list of accessible public charging stations.
Why has the BMW i3 been retired?
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.
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.