BMW i3 Gets Bigger Battery, 40% Longer Range

BMW AG is replacing the 22-kWh lithium-ion battery in its i3 compact electric vehicle with a 33-kWh unit in the 2017 model, boosting the car’s driving range by 41% to an estimated 114 miles.

The extended-range plug-in hybrid variant of the new i3, which is teamed with a 0.65-liter 2-cylinder engine, gets a 25% larger fuel tank (now 2.4 gallons) to add another 93 miles of range. The 38-hp engine turns on when the battery is depleted to 6.5% of charge.

BMW says the new Samsung battery pack, which includes eight modules with 12 cells apiece, is the same size as the 22-kWH unit. The increased capacity is achieved by optimizing the electrolyte configuration and altering the active material, according to the carmaker. The output of the car’s electric motor remains unchanged at 170 hp.

Charging time for the new battery is 4.5 hours with a Level 2 charger, which is one hour longer than it takes to replenish the smaller battery. With a fast-charging system, the new battery can be charged to 80% of its capacity within 40 minutes. It takes 25 minutes to do the job with the smaller battery.

Buyers of the 2017 i3 also can opt for the smaller battery if they don’t want to pay the unspecified premium for the 33-kWh system. And current owners will be able to retrofit the larger battery in select markets.

Overall weight of the 2017 model has increased slightly to 2,960 lbs and to just over 3,200 lbs for the hybrid version. No other mechanical changes have been made to the new model.