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BMW Aims for 50% Range Boost for i3 EV Battery
An updated lithium-ion battery in the 2017 model year should hike the range of BMW AG’s little i3 electric car to about 120 miles (193 km) from the current 80 miles (130 km).
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An updated lithium-ion battery in the 2017 model year should hike the range of BMW AG’s little i3 electric car to about 120 miles (193 km) from the current 80 miles (130 km).
Ian Robertson, who heads BMW group sales and marketing, tells Automotive News the $43,400 car will receive other unspecified improvements next autumn.
The greater range is for a standard i3. Adding a $3,800 onboard gasoline-powered generator—an option selected by about 60% of i3 buyers—gives the current model an overall range of about 160 miles between charges/fill-ups. Coupling the range extender with the 2017 model’s more powerful battery should enable the car to drive at least 200 miles.
BMW sold about 24,100 i3 cars worldwide in 2015, including 11,000 in the U.S., AN notes.
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