The verdict on the BMW i3 is still a little bit out. The electric, futuristic city slicker is one of those vehicles whose value is difficult to comprehend. The BMW i3 first left a somewhat lackluster impression. However, it was also one of the most sought-after EVs that money could buy. Similar to its larger sibling, the BMW i8, some checkboxes were obviously left unchecked. For the i3, the range was the main problem, even though the all-electric design and performance were cited as the biggest shortcomings of what is essentially a good all-around car.
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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.
BMW i3 lineup
The ordinary 168bhp i3 can now achieve a range of up to 189 miles in official testing thanks to a 42.2kWh lithium-ion battery that is hidden beneath the floor, compared to 175 miles for the 181bhp i3s. In practice, you may anticipate traveling about 160 miles in warmer weather, though that number will drop to 140 miles or fewer in inclement weather or when driving a lot of motorways.
Range i3 and MPGe
The fuel cell size and a device known as a Range Extender are the two most important variables, even if i3 range varies by trim and year.
A The i3 lithium-ion batteries have ranges between 80 and 180 miles on a full charge and have been as small as 22 kWh and as large as 42 kWh. Although the battery size was a contributing factor, the difference was quite large.
Some BMW i3 vehicles now come with a Range Extender, a little gas engine. The Range Extender solely produces power to charge the battery while moving, unlike a normal hybrid that employs a gasoline engine to power a powertrain. Consider it as a generator that is on board. A
The EPA created the MPGe metric, or miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent, for hybrid and emission-free automobiles. Range measures distance, whereas MGPe determines efficiency, and the two are not associated in any way. A
This comparison of two 2017 i3 models demonstrates how range and MPGe differ.
A
- The car to the left has a 22 kWh battery with an 81-mile range and 124 MPGe. A
- The vehicle to the right has a 33 kWh battery and a comparable 118 combined MPGe. It has a range of 114 miles.
- A A
Remember that these ratings come from recently manufactured new cars. It’s critical to monitor battery health and i3 range using Recurrent reporting because batteries deteriorate over time. a
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 to charge your BMW i3
One of the most well-liked EVs in the UK and Europe is the BMW i3, which is the only one that comes in both pure-EV and range-extended i3 REX versions. Range has increased by up to 186 miles on a single charge thanks to two battery upgrades during its time in manufacturing. Additionally, a sharper design and a sportier BMW i3s model have been added as a result of a stylistic makeover.
MPG and operating expenses
All electric vehicles have low operating expenses, and the i3 is no exception. However, the price you pay for the power you use to charge it up will primarily determine how much it costs per mile to drive. Currently, the typical off-peak UK economy 7 tariff is around PS0.06/kWh, with standard rates being roughly twice that.
BMW claims that their vehicles use 29 kWh of energy per 100 miles, yet the majority of customers are hooked on the potential range (call it 130 miles for the new 33kWh battery pack). According to those calculations, running 100 kilometers in an i3 will cost less than PS1.74 off-peak and PS3.48 during peak hours.
Since its battery upgrade, the baseline i3 has a range of 195 miles on the common EU combined cycle, but in reality, the range will be closer to 130 miles. Although the range-extended variant can’t go as far on electricity alone, according to BMW’s official statistics, the car can go 231 miles on electricity and gasoline together.
To do so, you’ll need especially thin soles and the patience of a saint, but for some people, the extra 80 or so miles of gasoline power will be enough to make up for the slight performance and refinement drawbacks of the range-extender. Your stats can be inflated if you choose the EcoPro mode, which slows down the throttle response and limits your highest speed. But sometimes, isn’t life too short?
Due to the standard car’s low number of moving parts and zero rated road and Benefit in Kind taxation, servicing costs are reduced to a minimum. Even the model with the range extension only gets 5% BIK. As a result of the i3’s expected low annual mileage, BMW also offers its own “FlexiMile” insurance.
How quickly can a BMW i3 be charged?
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.
How far can an i3 travel on a single charge?
This BMW i3 can travel 435 miles on a single charge. The brand-new 100kWh, denser, and safer battery performs well in terms of range. More info on the BMW I3.
How many miles are there on a BMW i3?
Range i3 and MPGe The i3 lithium-ion batteries have ranges between 80 and 180 miles on a full charge and have been as small as 22 kWh and as large as 42 kWh.
How much time does it take a BMW i3 to charge at home?
The company cited consumer demand for larger-than-the-i3 electric automobiles as justification for the withdrawal. Another reason is that the business wants to move away from the i3’s distinctive appearance and produce electric vehicles with more traditional styling.
Can I use a Tesla charging station to refuel my BMW i3?
use the gas-powered BMW i3 REx The i3 REx relies on the battery charge and never uses gasoline. In some circumstances, your car will use more electricity than its range extender can compensate for.
How much does a BMW i3 battery replacement cost?
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.
The battery is charged by the BMW i3 Range Extender.
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.
What is the BMW i3’s maximum range?
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.
How frequently does a BMW i3 need maintenance?
No is the simplest response to the query. Generally speaking, you shouldn’t charge your electric vehicle every evening. Most of the time, it is not required. The routine of charging an electric automobile at night may reduce the battery pack’s lifespan.
Can the BMW i3 just operate on gas?
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.
The BMW i3 is being retired for what reason?
There are a few things you should keep in mind, though. Tesla’s high-speed superchargers can only be utilized by Tesla vehicles, despite there being charging stations for non-Tesla drivers. Consequently, it is not possible to operate a Supercharger with a BMW electric vehicle using any of the available adapters.
Does the BMW i4 qualify for a tax credit?
All Tesla vehicles previously received free lifetime charging. Customers received non-transferable free Supercharging when the Model 3 was first released, but as the business expanded and strove to sustain profitable quarters, it eliminated the benefit in May 2020.
Do I3’s require premium gas?
Electric automobiles come equipped with a 120-volt Level 1 portable charger as standard equipment. Yes, these chargers may be plugged into a regular household socket; no further installation is necessary.
Is recharging a Tesla free?
The short and easy answer is that if you’re driving an electric car and it runs out of juice, the car will stop and you’ll need to call roadside assistance to have it towed to the closest charging station.
Does my electric car need to be charged every night?
A little, quiet combustion engine called the Range extender burns unleaded gasoline. This serves as a generator, preserving the high-voltage battery’s charge so that the car can continue to run on electricity.
What happens if the battery in your electric car runs out?
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.
Can an electric automobile be plugged into a standard outlet?
A Type 2 plug allows you to charge your BMW i3 at home, the office, or a public charging station. Additionally, there includes a CCS port for quick charging.