Category Archives: BMW

News and reviews of BMW electric cars (including plug-in hybrids).

Why the BMW iX M60 Is the Manifestation of the Theory of Relativity

November 20, 2023BMW, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

Before the theory of relativity, mass and energy were viewed as distinct entities in physics, which still makes sense for the uninformed.

It was when the genius of Albert Einstein came up with the E = mc2 equation that people realized mass and energy are the same physical entity and can be changed into each other.

In the equation, the mass of a body times the speed of light squared is equal to the kinetic energy of that body, which can explain many things, including why the porky BMW iX M60 feels almost like a supercar on stilts when driven in a sportier manner.

The way this electric… thing can seriously outgun thoroughbred sports cars, not to mention its equivalent ICE brethren, the BMW X5 M60, is something that should be taught in physics classes.

To put things into perspective, the twin-turbo V8-powered BMW X5 M60 hits 62 mph (100 kph) from a standing start in a reasonably quick 4.3 seconds. The similarly sized but 550-pound (240 kg) heavier iX M60 can do the same feat almost half a second quicker. How’s that for mass and energy?

In other words, the top-of-the-range version of the BMW iX lineup, the M60, shouldn’t be reduced to just a really quick electric SUV with questionable looks, and poor relase value because it’s so much more than that.

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Top Gear’s greatest cars of the last 30 years: BMW i8 and Porsche Taycan

November 9, 2023BMW, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, Porsche, Taycan / Mission ERepost

In our increasingly electrified world, two pioneers have stood taller than others

We were surprised as well. Only one Porsche has ever been crowned TG’s Car of the Year, and it’s the one without a combustion engine. Meanwhile, no BMW M car has ever taken the top prize. The only Beemers to walk away with the laurels are an executive saloon still held in high regard today, and a petrol-electric sports car that bravely looked to a future that hasn’t materialised. Raises the question really: which of this pair is a surefire future classic?

We know a winner when we see one. BMW’s £900m investment in its i range is now a cautionary tale of how to go too far, too fast with cars of the future, with the i3 and i8 now relegated to history and the current range taking the far more conventional shape of stuff like the iX1, i4 and i7. The only ‘bespoke’ EV BMW makes these days is the iX. A fine luxury pod dressed up like a robo-hippo, but a far cry from the days when bespoke aluminium chassis bore recycled carbon-fibre superstructures.

When aerodynamics, not marketing, styled the cars. When BMW would sell you a butterfly door streamliner powered by a 3cyl Mini engine tuned to deliver over 230bhp, boosted by an electric motor for 0–62mph in 4.4secs, plus claimed economy of 134mpg. Not the i8’s fault the test cycle was laughably flawed.

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Salary sacrifice drivers choose an electric vehicle to ‘save money’

November 7, 2023BMW, Buying a new car, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, OpinionRepost

Almost eight out of 10 drivers said that they chose an electric vehicle (EV) in order to save money, according to new research from Tusker.

Furthermore, 89% of EV drivers said that they were satisfied with their car, while two-thirds (66%) of petrol drivers want to order an EV in the next four years with costs a key motivator for drivers to make the switch.

Tusker says that oil prices have risen in the UK in 2023, driving the cost of petrol up to its current average of £1.56/ litre across the UK.

The current uncertainty in the Middle-East could drive prices even higher in the coming months.

Conversely, the cost of EV charging has dropped by up to 19% at peak times, and 15% for off-peak charging, says Tusker.

In a like-for-like comparison a driver of a VW Golf 1.5 TSI driving 10,000 miles per year would pay £1,491.39 in fuel. A VW ID3 driving the same distance would cost just £741.35 in charging, says Tusker, equating to a saving of £750.04.

Even if the ID3 driver charged exclusively at more expensive public rapid charging stations, the ID3 driver would still enjoy £255.39 in savings at the end of the same period, it added.

Paul Gilshan, CEO of Tusker, said: “Our survey has shown that our drivers value the cheaper running costs of EVs, and that value for money is a priority for many.

Read more: FleetNews

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UK’s ‘cheapest’ electric vehicle home-charging tariff launched

November 6, 2023At Home, BMW, Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

EDF has joined forces with charge point operator Pod Point to offer what it claims to be the UK’s cheapest electric vehicle (EV) home-charging tariff.

The Pod Point EV Exclusive Tariff will be made available to existing users and new customers buying a Solo 3 home charger when they sign up to use EDF for their energy.

It will see customers charged 7.4 pence per kilowatt hour for energy used between the hours of midnight and 5am – during which drivers can schedule their EV to charge.

Pod Point’s overnight rate, it says, is combined with a competitive daytime rate, to provide customers with the best overall EV tariff based on typical usage.

It explained that its EV tariff is the cheapest available based on an annual Ofgem typical peak usage of 2,700kWh peak usage and 2,000 kWh off-peak EV charging usage (8,000 miles) when comparing the average peak and off-peak rate of the Pod Point EV Exclusive tariff for customers paying by direct debit and have a smart meter, with the average peak and off-peak rate rates of EV specific tariffs from other suppliers that do not require control of vehicle or charger

Read more: FleetNews

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BMW i5 first drive: The BMW 5 series goes fully electric (and we go hands-on)

October 24, 2023BMW, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

As with many other manufacturers, BMW feels the future is electric and is in the process of electrifying its entire offering. Following on from the i3 and the i7, the latest Bimmer to get the EV treatment is the highly popular BMW 5 series. And everything has gone pretty much as you would expect.

The rear-wheel drive i5 is a quick and punchy vehicle. Unlike previous gas-powered 5 series models, the phenomenal amount of torque generated by the i5’s electric motor keeps the sedan pinned to the road at almost any speed. If the standard vehicle and its sub-6 second 0-60 times aren’t enough for you, you can even opt for an M-package right out of the gate, adding a second motor, boosting power, and bringing all-wheel drive (“xDrive” in BMW parlance) into the mix. The M version has been named the M60 xDrive, nodding toward its four-wheel capability, while the basic electric model is the eDrive40.

Beyond the power train, BMW has added a lot to its new 5 series. A redesigned infotainment system keeps you on track, its upholstery has the potential to ease your conscience, and you’ll have an easy time keeping it charged.

BMW i5 performance: No alarms, and no surprises

The motor in the i5 eDrive40 produces 335 horsepower and can get the car from 0-60 in as little as 5.7 seconds.

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How Effective Are Electric Vehicles In Reducing Emissions?

October 23, 2023BMW, Electric Cars, FAQ, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

Even in fossil-fuel-dominated grids, BEVs emit only about 50% of the CO2e of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
The research took into account lifecycle emissions, considering factors like manufacturing, maintenance, and operation in countries like China, the US, and Germany.
The emissions from BEVs will continue to decrease as nations transition to cleaner power sources, solidifying their position as a sustainable transportation option.

Battery electric vehicles (BEV) are the clear winner when trying to reduce emissions in the transportation sector, according to Rystad Energy research. Despite incurring higher emissions in the manufacturing process of electric vehicles and an enduring reliance on fossil fuel power generation in many countries, the positive environmental impact of switching to a BEV over the vehicle’s lifetime is unmistakable.

Our analysis shows that battery-powered vehicles contribute at most half the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) of diesel or gasoline cars across their lifecycle, regardless of the country of operation. Even in countries where the power grid is dominated by fossil fuels, battery-powered cars emit about 50% of the CO2e of an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. As renewable sources replace coal and gas-fired generation, emissions related to the operation of BEVs could drop by 86%.

Our in-depth research of lifecycle BEV and ICE vehicle emissions considers every stage of the manufacturing process and the vehicle’s operation.

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BMW to invest more than £600 million in UK EV MINI factories with £75 million gov support

September 21, 2023BMW, Electric Cars, MINI, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

BMW Group has announced that it plans to invest more than £600 million in its Oxford and Swindon MINI factories to develop a “new generation of electric MINIs”.

With the ban on Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) car sales coming into force in 2030, many car manufacturers are preparing for the transition, and BMW says that by 2030, production at its UK factories will be exclusively electric.

BMW says it is gearing up to build two new all-electric models of MINI from 2026: the MINI Cooper 3-door and the compact MINI Aceman. By 2030, BMW says it will have spent over £3 billion on its Swindon, Hams Hall and Oxford plants since 2000.

Citroen Ami (Source: uk-mediacitroen.com)

BMW says the development of its UK plants “has been supported by the UK Government”. The Financial Times reported that “The investment by the German carmaker at the site in Cowley will be backed by about £75 million of taxpayer funds, according to people familiar with the matter.”

The Oxford MINI plant has also recently celebrated its 110th anniversary this year, and has been producing the MINI Electric since 2019.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailed the announcement, saying it was a “major vote of confidence in our car sector”.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said, “This decision is a big vote of confidence in the UK economy and the work of this Government to ensure the continued strength of our world-leading automotive sector.

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Hyundai creating “a stir” in fleet with fully-electric Ioniq 6 saloon

July 17, 2023BMW, Electric Cars, Hyundai, i4, IONIQ Electric, Model 3, News, Reviews and Comment, TeslaRepost

Hyundai is looking to follow up the success of its Ioniq 5 by targeting conquest sales from traditional premium brands with its new Ioniq 6 fully-electric saloon.

The car, which launched earlier this year, is being positioned to appeal to user-chooser drivers who are in the market for a Tesla Model 3 or a BMW i4, seeking a long range and an engaging drive.

Tim White, head of fleet at Hyundai Motor UK, said: “The Ioniq 6 has certainly been causing a stir since it went on sale a few months ago.

“Just as Ioniq 5 did, we are hoping it will attract more new customers to the brand who previously may not have considered Hyundai, especially from drivers that may have previously chosen a more traditionally-perceived premium brand.”

The brand is strategically positioning Ioniq 6 with the corporate end-user side of its business as this segment continues to be its core focus.

“The launch of Ioniq 6 has kept the team busy, with fleets looking to either offer the car at a higher car policy grade to Ioniq 5 while others have placed it parallel to the car,” said White.

To come later in the year is the new Kona Electric. To prepare for this, Hyundai has operated with minimal volume of the existing Kona Electric, which means it has focused on positioning both Tucson PHEV for fleet drivers not yet ready for a full EV and ensuring Ioniq 5 maintains a competitive position.

Read more: FleetNews

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14 important electric vehicles coming soon

July 5, 2023Audi, BMW, Electric Cars, Ford, Hyundai, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

As the 2030 ban on the sale of new diesel and petrol cars gets closer, manufacturers are launching an ever-increasing number of new battery electric vehicles.

Here we look at 14 of the most important models for fleets on the horizon.

Audi A6 e-tron

Available: Early 2024

Range: More than 400 miles

Audi will enter the electric executive saloon space next year with the A6 e-tron and A6 Avant e-tron. Only a concept version of the new model has been revealed so far, but it suggests the A6 e-tron will have little in common with the existing A6.

Like the current Audi e-tron GT , the A6 e-tron is being co-developed with Porsche. It is expected to use a 100kWh battery, giving a range of around 430 miles, and have a power output of 470PS. A cheaper version may also be offered, with a 300-mile range.

The car will be capable of adding 186 miles worth of range in just 10 minutes and will have an estimated starting price of £60,000.

BMW i5

Available: October

Range: 362 miles

The electric BMW 5 Series will become a reality this year, filling the gap between the current i4 and i7 models in the car maker’s line-up.

Sales are set to commence in October, when company car drivers will be able to order the eDrive40 variant and a range-topping M60 model. An estate version will follow in 2024.

Read more: FleetNews

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BMW, V2X, And The Death Of The Gasmobile

June 15, 2023BMW, Electric Cars, Ford, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

BMW is stepping up from vehicle-to-grid EV charging to kick vehicle-to-everything (V2X) into gear, with an assist from the California utility PG&E

The bad news just keeps on coming for fossil energy stakeholders. In the latest development, BMW is working with the leading California utility, PG&E, to demonstrate how EV batteries can contribute to grid stability instead of placing new burdens on the nation’s electricity infrastructure. The secret sauce is V2X, the Vehicle-to-Everything model for using an EV battery to power all sorts of electric devices.

Nobody Expects V2X

The infrastructure argument against widespread EV adoption has been neatly summed up by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who called zero emission vehicles a “new way to overburden California’s already collapsing energy grid” in a segment last September.

Whoa if true. However, not true according to professionals who actually know a thing or two about electricity.

The leading utility National Grid, for example, does caution that grid issues could arise from a piecemeal approach to fleet electrification, when too many fleets are clustered in one area. Its main point, though, was to advocate for proactive, collaborative planning and infrastructure investment to foster a smooth transition to EVs.

On a broader scope, EV stakeholders are already engaged with “smart charging” strategies that take advantage of low-demand periods along with the availability of renewable energy.

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