Category Archives: i3

Rapid Charging at Frimley Park Hospital

January 2, 2017Blog, BMW, Charging, Electric Cars, i3, i3 94AhTrevor Larkum

[Part 1 is here]

As expected we got most of the way to our destination in Surrey without having had a chance for a proper rapid charge. The plan was to charge at Frimley Park Hospital, and if that failed to go to Church Street car park in Fleet. Driving an EV long distance is all about having a plan and a backup plan!

i3 charging at Frimley Hospital (Image: T. Larkum)

We needn’t have worried – Frimley turned out fine, eventually. We knew the charge point was in the covered part of the (very large) car park and found it pretty easily. However, things did then get a bit tricky. Zap-map indicated that there were two CCS-capable charge points there, with one of them offline. In fact there was only one (the other charge point could only do AC and Chademo) and it was showing an error on the screen; naturally I was worried that this was actually the offline unit.

I cancelled the apparent charge session and re-initialised it (just following instructions on the screen) and it seemed to clear. I started a new session using my Polar RFID card (it’s a CYC charge point, but CYC is now part of Polar). When I first connected the i3 and began a charge, however, it only lasted about a minute, and then stopped with an error on the dash. Anyway, I persisted and the second time it worked fine.

We were fully charged about 45 minutes later – that was longer than I expected, particularly as we plugged in with 32% charge, so that implies to me that the charge point may not have been giving its full 50kW power (perhaps as a result of the initial failed charge?). Nonetheless, it’s hard to complain when the charge was free, and even £3 for the parking seemed reasonable as we were able to pass the time sitting in the nearby hospital cafe with a cup of tea and a slice of cake.

The charge issues and long charge time notwithstanding, it was a pretty good experience and I’m sure we’ll use Frimley again. We left with 99% charge and had enough not just to get to Surrey but to show off the i3’s acceleration a few times while there, and then return all the way back to Northampton without a further charge. Hats off to the i3 once again!

AC Rapid Charging an i3 94Ah

December 31, 2016Blog, BMW, Charging, Ecotricity, Electric Cars, i3, i3 94AhTrevor Larkum

We’re currently on our way in the i3 from Northampton to Surrey, to visit relatives for New Year’s Eve. It seems like most of the few CCS charge points operated by Ecotricity at motorway services are offline today.

I have therefore planned to charge at public charge points near our destination. However, since we always stop at Toddington services going south for the toilets anyway, I thought I’d try an AC charge here (Toddington has no CCS/DC cable).

The i3, of course, does its slow charging on AC (alternating current) like all electric cars and its rapid charging on DC (direct current) like all electric cars except the Renault ZOE. However, the new i3 (the ’94ah’) has a trick up its sleeve – it can ‘medium charge’ on 3 phase AC (a feature shared only with the Tesla).

After about 10 minutes of mucking about with the Ecotricity app on my ‘phone it finally loaded, and the car started charging from the Type 2 cable (intended for rapid charging a ZOE). About quarter of an hour later, when we were ready to leave, we had taken on 2.5kWh of electricity. 2.5kWh in 14 minutes equates to about 11 kW charging power, which is what the i3 can theoretically achieve so it’s encouraging to see it working in a real situation.

2.5kWh charge after 14 minutes (Image: T. Larkum)

Having said that, we only gained about 10 miles of range (so about 40 miles per hour). That’s certainly better than nothing, but doesn’t compete with true DC rapid charging where that’s available.

[Part 2 is here]

Another Public Event: Holcot Car Boot Sale

December 23, 2016Blog, BMW, Electric Cars, i3, i3 94AhTrevor Larkum

When we can, we try to show electric cars at public events, and it is pretty clear from talking to members of the public that perception and acceptance of electric cars is increasing fast. We have recently showed the i3 at Milton Keynes shopping centre, and a Renault ZOE in Kings Langley.

The Fuel Included i3 on show at the Holcot Car Boot Sale (Image: T. Larkum)

Ahead of either of those events, however, we showed the i3 at the Holcot Car Boot Sale. This is a very large event, known officially as the ‘Car Boot and Farmers Market’ and held at the Holcot Showground every Saturday and Thursday from April to October each year. Holcot is off the A43 about halfway between Northampton and Kettering.

At the time there weren’t actually any good offers available on the i3. However, that has now changed as we have arranged PCP deals on the i3 at very good rates. We are therefore in the process of contacting those people at Holcot who expressed interest in the i3 to offer them a test drive.

In our experience, with the i3 it’s a case of once driven, forever smitten!

Our BMW i3 has returned!

December 22, 2016Blog, BMW, Electric Cars, i3, i3 94AhTrevor Larkum

After weeks of waiting our i3 has finally come back. The accident damage has been repaired so well that it looks like new!

Our compliments go to the Rugby Bodyshoppe for a job well done. It’ll be good to see the back of the courtesy car, a Lexus 300 hybrid, which was a rubbish drive compared to the i3.

BMW i3 – driving without brakes in London challenge

In this video, Mat Watson and Rebecca Chaplin hit the roads of London in a BMW i3 for a challenge with a difference.
The pair took it in turns to drive some of the city’s busiest areas without pressing the brake pedal and attempted to get by just using the electric car’s regenerative braking alone.

Like many electric cars, the BMW i3 begins to recover energy as soon as you take your foot off the accelerator. When it’s accelerating the battery powers the wheels but when it’s braking the motor acts as a generator, charging the battery and gently bringing the car to a stop at the same time – if you’re on flat ground that is.

Each of would drive just over three miles and the person who used the brake pedal the least would win. Of course, they weren’t allowed to cause an accident by not braking so planning ahead and paying attention would be key!

London Fire Brigade opts for low emission car fleet

December 17, 2016BMW, Electric Cars, i3, News, Reviews and CommentTrevor Larkum

London Fire Brigade has invested in a fleet of electric cars in a bid to reduce the impact of its vehicles on air quality in the capital.

The new fleet includes 52 ultra low emission BMWi3 ranger-extender model cars and a further five hybrid cars for fire officers attend emergency incidents and other Brigade business across the capital.

The i3 cars are LFB branded and fitted with blue lights and sirens. They can reach top speeds of 90 mph and go from 0 to 80 mph in seconds.

Charge points have been installed at 73 fire stations around the capital – following work to establish a network of charging stations during 2015.

Commenting on the new fleet, London Fire Commissioner, Ron Dobson, said:

“Officers often travel at speed across London, so it was essential the cars could stand up to the rigours of being a blue light vehicle, as well as having green credentials.

“I am proud that the Brigade is leading the move from diesel to electric, which will make a big difference to the air quality for Londoners.

“In our 150th year, while celebrating our past we’re also investing in the future and it’s vital that we adopt policies today that future generations will thank us for.”

PCP Prices for New Longer Range BMW i3

December 11, 2016Blog, BMW, Electric Cars, i3, i3 94AhTrevor Larkum

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