BMW i3 - Why this little EV has big potential

This won't work with the newer EVs as they won't allow you to drive with EVSE plugged in. Also Toyota specifically states using a generator is not recommended.

 

The final photo is a Leaf.
He may well be using propane, but the Capstone turbine being used for the genset costs several grand.

 

sorry - I miss the carbon fiber connection. Toyota has their own carbon fiber loom. Carbon fiber is what they use for the Lexus LFA (msrp $375k) sports car.
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BMW has made some big strides in reducing carbon fiber production costs though. The i3 makes heavy use of it, and starts at a little above $40k. Not cheap, but much better than six figure sport cars.

 

Now, they just have to find a way to make it rust.

 

apparently they DID bring down carbon fiber pricing ... for a tad lower price, you can pick up bmw's OTHER carbon fiber hybrid - WAY nicer than the i3 .... actually on par w/ the Lexus LFA - the i8;


$10k cheaper to boot
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So much hatred against one person (me)..... that cannot be good for your blood pressure. And what I actually said was: "Hybrids like the Prius and Civic Hybrid cost more than the customer gains back from MPG savings," which is becoming more-and-more true as gasoline drops away from $4 and moves closer to $3. I also said, "I would recommend a cheap hybrid like the Prius C or Honda Insight, as they will save money longterm."

Also my Prius was paid with cash.

 

Make up your mind.

And you still haven't explained why you are wasting $10,000+ on the FCV when you have a Prius in the driveway. Or do you ?

 

FCV == once in a lifetime opportunity to drive a hydrogen-fueled car

And I did make-up my mind. Cheap hybrids like the ~18,000 dollar prius C and insight will save money versus a normal car, however spending 24,000+ for a Prius or Civic or Fusion hybrid will end-up costing more long term vs. buying base model (semi)equivalent cars. That's because of the high upfront cost (plus tax plus additional interest).

As for "why you have so many cars"...... I still have fewer than the 150 that Jay Leno owns.

 

What state was your mind in for the past ... oh ... five years ?

Besides mush, that is.

 

Passed an i3 this morning in my estate. A black and white two tone effect.

It's the first one I've seen on the roads and they actually look good, much better than in a picture. I'll have to keep an eye out for it in future.

 

See in a parking lot yesterday.
The large, flat faced wheels look a little silly when you notice how narrow the front ones are, but is that a real wood dash. ooohhhh aaahhhh

 

Took up on the BMW 'take home test drive' for the i3's, so I managed to drive around the whole weekend in a i3 REx version (installed with the optional 'generator' engine). I originally asked for the stock BEV version, to see how truly livable it is to have a full EV, but the dealer only had the REx version available for this special take home program. And as it turns out, it really comes in handy, and after a day and 1/2 with it, I realize that the backup engine/generator, which I believe is a 800cc motorcycle engine from BMW's Motarad division, is essential for my daily requirements.

When I picked it up, with a full fresh charge, the meter read 73 miles of range. Even driving relatively conservatively, and moderate use of climate controls, my range dropped significantly, even though I used EcoPro and EcoPro+ modes most of the time. For freeway driving, I had to use the standard Comfort mode, which gave me full throttle access for merging and passing (the other 2 modes can't cut it for highway type driving). With one particular roundtrip to the Topanga Mall over the weekend, about 50 miles total, I started with 70 miles of range (charged at home), and returned with only about 4 to 5 miles of range left, and the REx engine kicken soon afterwards - You can from attached dashboard photosof my starting range (70 miles) and ending range (0 range).



As my range depleted, at least I had the comfort in mind of knowing that I at least had a 'backup' generator/engine if it dropped too much. For that peace of mind alone, it's a worthy investment. At this point, I will have to consider all my options before deciding on which EV/PHEV/etc. lay in my future.

 

Does anyone know if all the REx versions sold in the US will be handicapped, or is it just those sold in California, maybe CARB states?

 

You mean the ultra teeny super small gas tank?

 

No, BMW had to make compromises with CARB on when the range extender can used. Which is basically when the battery charge is nearly gone. European versions have it come on much sooner so that there is a larger SOC reserve. I think the driver can even select to have it come on when knowing they will be exceeding the EV range.

The motorcycle engine alone isn't enough to give the car full performance. A larger SOC when turned on means there is reserve to provide that performance while burning gasoline. The i3 basically operates like a Volt this way, but it wouldn't get ZEV credits as a PHV. So CARB made them turn on the ICE later in an effort to reduce gas use by making the car undesirable to drive on gas.

 

oh I see - well ... that may just take a bit of program hacking in order to make it EU style. I DO enjoy voiding warranties

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Curious about the whole "no ICE till you have a depleated battery" mentioned above by trollbait..- I stumbled on this article relating to a Consumer Reports review:

BMW looking to fix i3 acceleration problem uncovered by Consumer Reports - Autoblog

I guess that doesn't mean the i3 doesn't have potential ... after they come up with some kind of software compromise that placates CARB's goals.

 

That's down right dangerous and needs an urgent recall.

 

Perhaps CARB should pay for the recall.
This isn't an issue with the European model where the driver can elect to turn on the range extender while the battery still has a high SOC for longer trips.