We set three Netmums bloggers challenges to see if ultra low emission vehicles worked for them. In this video, we get to hear the thoughts of Caroline on the environmental benefits of electric cars, after we gave her a pure electric BMW i3 to test. Watch all our bloggers take the #EVChallenge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NHTRkXLD3Y
I see more electric cars on the road every day now, they are no longer the novelty they used to be. In my area I see many Nissan Leafs and a few ZOEs. And, of course, it seems like the Mitsubish Outlander PHEV is everywhere!
I saw my first Tesla Model S in my hometown of Northampton a few months back – that seems like a milestone of sorts.
A week later I was travelling down to London and called in to the London Gateway services for a charge. By the time I had finished and was packing up to leave I had been joined by an Outlander and a BMW i3, all 3 cars lined up in a row at the chargepoints. Hopefully such a tableau will be commonplace in the future.
Of course, it did highlight that only the ZOE has its charging socket at the right end!
https://youtu.be/9PlaciZAFYA
https://youtu.be/Sf48CiRolHU
BMW released one of the best video presentations of the i3 and i8 plug-in electric cars, from Drive Module through all the major components like motors, batteries, Life Module and so on up to the final product.
The i3 video is available in two slightly different version (with back-up range-extender engine and without).
Discover the BMW i3
“The BMW i3 opens a new chapter of a visionary design language for BMW that is tailor-made for electric vehicles. The innovative LifeDrive architecture with carbon passenger compartment provides an especially roomy feeling in the interior (in part thanks to the absence of a centre tunnel) and is characterised by the use of high-quality, sustainable materials.”
Source: Inside EVs
BMW’s i3 city car was one of two new vehicles to launch the Bavarian ‘i’ brand – alongside the seminal i8 sports car. While the latter is more of an evo kind of car, the i3 still holds a lot of appeal, especially for those that spend most of their time in a big city.
It looks like nothing else on the road, has a surprisingly spacious and yet genuinely interesting cabin plus the instantaneous maximum torque makes it a hoot to drive – albeit in an urban environment. The only thing holding it back is its ultimate range – as with nearly all electric cars.
We’d be flabbergasted to find a BMW i3 buyer that doesn’t have a smartphone, so assuming you do, it’s worth installing the bespoke BMW i Remote app, as it enhances the ownership experience no end. A particularly useful feature is remotely checking how a charge is getting on, while it’s also possible to pre-set the climate control temperature for when you return to the car. There’s also what BMW claims to be a world first intermodal route planning system – i.e. it’ll guide you whether you’re in the car, on foot or using public transport… perish the thought.
Read more: Evo
Here’s The Fast Lane Car’s review of the BMW i3 REx.
“The 2015 BMW i3 is an electric car that can also be purchased with a range extending gasoline engine. In this TFLcar review Nathan and Emme spend a day living and testing BMW’s least expensive EV.”
Source: Inside EVs
The BMW i3’s strong regenerative braking allows for one pedal driving in most situations. Here’s a BMW-made video showing how one pedal driving works.
Video description:
“In this video, learn more about the different modes of the accelerator pedal, brake energy recuperation, and One Pedal Drive in the BMW i3.”
Source: Inside EVs
Kelley Blue Book released its list of the “10 Most Fuel-Efficient Luxury Cars of 2015.”
Ranking is opened by BMW i3 (second year in a row in the # 1 spot), followed by Tesla Model S, Mercedes-Benz B-Class ED, Cadillac ELR and BMW i8. Plug-ins capture the entire Top 5.
Best hybrid is at 6th and with more plug-in models coming, next year plug-ins could take the entire Top 10.
About the winner:
“BMW’s i3 tops this list for the second year in a row. This electric 4-door’s design is modern and fresh, and truly stands out on the road. Not only is the i3 the most fuel-efficient luxury car, it’s the most fuel-efficient car, period. Adding a cure for anxiety is an available range-extending gas engine.
City/highway/combined mpge: 137/111/124
Range: 81 miles”
Source: Inside EVs
BMW has seen sales of its electric division exceed 30,000 units by the end of the first half of 2015.
The i brand was launched in November 2013, when the i3 went on sale. More than 26,000 of the five-door family cars have been sold since then.
The i range was doubled when the i8 was launched last year. So far almost 4,500 units of the striking-looking plug-in hybrid sportscar have been sold.
In June 2015, total i range sales were 2,017, a rise of 65 per cent compared to the same month in 2014.
There has been a surge in the uptake of electric vehicles across the board. Vehicles such as the i3, the Nissan LEAF and the Mitsubishi have all played an important role in advocating a switch to electric transport.
With the UK government grant cap of 50,000 registered plug-in vehicles looming ever closer (now over 40k overall), the question is whether this uptake will continue to grow without the funding?
Source: Next Green Car
Here’s a mostly glowing review of the BMW i3 from the New York Times.
“The BMW i3 is a deep dive into what the car of the future should be. It is efficient, sustainable and essentially a think tank on wheels.”
The conclusion: i3 is expensive, but it’s more than transportation. It’s a glimpse into the future.
Source: Inside EVs