Category Archives: BMW

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

Scotland Yard To Green Its Fleet With Purchase Of Up To 700 Electric Cars

June 20, 2017BMW, Electric Cars, i3 94Ah, News, Reviews and CommentJo

In a “green” effort, the Metropolitan Police Department will start by transitioning 250 of them to hydrogen and electric cars. The new vehicles will be put in place over the course of the next 12 months.

“The response from police drivers to the BMW i3 has been very positive. It’s actually a very quick car.”

Included in the initial plan is hydrogen fuel cell cars, specifically for emergency response vehicles, 30 plug-in hybrids for responding to “999” calls, additional larger vehicles (vans) for crime scenes, and 1o vehicles for Royalty protection officers.

The hope is that at least half of the police force is driving electric cars by next year. This is all part of a multi-million program which includes replacing about 700 vehicles. Monies are also allocated for infrastructure, and the capital area will get five hydrogen chargers.

The organization has looked into the BMW i3 and the Toyota Mirai as viable options. Hydrogen scooters are a possibility for specific patrol routes. At this point, officials aren’t ruling out any automakers or vehicles, as long as they are “clean.” Talks have included vehicles from Ford, Nissan, Mercedes, Renault, and Volkswagen, among others. All vehicle types are also being considered, from mopeds, to cars, and vans. The chief of police, Bernard Hogan-Howe, reportedly spoke personally with Elon Musk about the concept of using Tesla vehicles for “front line” operations.

Trials are already underway and more are planned. The BMW i3 REX has been successful in testing, specifically due to its acceleration. Hydrogen scooters manufactured by Suzuki are also being tested. Jiggs Bharij, the head of the Metropolitan Police fleet services, said:

“The response from police drivers to the BMW i3 has been very positive. It’s actually a very quick car.”

This is all comforting to residents due to the poor air quality in London. Many people have threatened to leave the area if changes aren’t initiated. Sian Berry, a member of the London Assembly Green Party concluded:

“A lot of new and positive ideas are being trailed and considered by the Met here … But what we need from them is a firm deadline for getting all diesel police vehicles off the road. Every organisation with a fleet in London needs to be making plans for this to happen as soon as possible, and this needs to start with the Mayor’s own bodies, including TfL and the Met.”

Source: Inside EVs

BMW i3 – Any journey is possible

See how Christopher powers through his busy life with the BMW i3.

Fleet News Awards 2017: Best Plug-in Car (1-50g/km) – BMW i3 Range Extender

BMW has got all the ingredients right for it i3 electric car, despite its quirky looks.

Transport minister John Hayes CBE hands the award to BMW Group general manager, corporate sales Steve Oliver.

Although the fully electric version lost out to the more affordable Hyundai Ioniq in the zero tailpipe emissions category of our awards, members of our judging panel had plenty of praise for the Range Extender (REX) version of the i3, which has a small motorcycle engine to charge the battery when the plug-in range has depleted.

Made available with revised battery chemistry last year to boost its range, the i3 can now reach up to 195 miles on the official test cycle, or up to 243 miles with the Range Extender.

The i3 has played its part in the past three years to draw greater attention to EVs and make them desirable and aspirational. By far the most powerful compact EV on sale with 172PS, and using carbonfibre construction to minimise weight, the rear-wheel drive i3 has been very much the driving enthusiasts’ choice among plug-in cars.

Finalists

Audi A3 e-tron
BMW i3 Range Extender
BMW 330e
Mercedes-Benz C350e
Mercedes-Benz E350e
Volkswagen Golf GTE
Volvo XC90 T8

Judges’ comments

Practical and with a striking design, the i3 Range Extender offers a decent range with the added security of the range-extender petrol engine. It is great to drive and has competitive running costs thanks in part to the clever use of carbon fibre technology for low-cost repairs.

Award winner video

Source: FleetNews

Plugging into a better future | 2018 BMW 530e iPerformance First Drive

June 8, 2017530e PHEV, BMW, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentJo

The Germans often stumbled during their first forays with plug-in hybrids. They were so fixated with not being the Toyota Prius, they overcompensated and stuffed big engines under the hood that weren’t all that efficient, even with electrified assistance. BMW in particular tried to convince the world hybrids were still enjoyable to drive.

To some extent they were, but BMW missed the point. Many consumers actually did want range and fuel economy, and Bimmer watched as its competitors rolled out efficient small displacement plug-in hybrids. With the 2018 530e iPerformance sedan, it looks like the company is finally getting it.

The sedan achieves up to 31 miles on electricity and the total range is claimed at 404 miles. Power comes from a 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder with variable valve lift, which teams with an eDrive AC synchronous electric motor for a total output of 248 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.

Perhaps the car’s coolest trick is its new wireless charging system, which BMW developed with Daimler-Benz. It will charge the battery at a rate of 3.2 kilowatt hours (one-third of total capacity) within 3.5 hours. With BMW Connected on the center screen, the car ‘sees’ the 2-foot square charging pad via a wireless network. The driver is guided with a set of blue lines on the screen over the pad with an accuracy of 2.8 inches from side to side and four inches from front to back.

Inside you’ll find a familiar 5 Series setup: austere, profoundly practical, and classy. Start her up and nothing happens except some wildly swinging needles in the instrument panel and enough blue light to think you’ve been transported to a Berlin nightclub. There’s an eDrive (displaying battery charge, range, etc.) on the right side and a simple speedo on the left.

There are several main modes of operation: auto eDrive, where the car chooses which power unit to use for maximum efficiency, with EV mode available up to 56 mph; max eDrive, where the car favors electric power with EV mode up to 87 mph; and battery control, where the gasoline engine will charge the battery pack and power the car.

It’s worth recalling that just over five years ago, BMW launched its first hybrid, the Active Hybrid 5, in which the engine was a 3.0-liter straight-six, the electric motor was a sort of volt-fueled supercharger and the realistic gas mileage didn’t approach the claimed sticker. Fast-forward half a decade, and the company is far more evolved and in-step with consumer tastes, as the 530e demonstrates. It isn’t brilliant to drive, but it does save gas. Munich engineers have finally gotten the point.

BMW Announces Wireless Charging Option On The 530e

June 6, 2017530e PHEV, BMW, Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, Wireless ChargingJo

BMW has announced wireless charging will be added as an option for the 2018 model year 530e iPerformance plug-in hybrid.

BMW 530e iPerformance – wireless charging

The 3.2 kW wireless system will be integrated with the 530e’s on-board infotainment system to show the charger’s alignment on the screen.

The conventional system of charging for the 530e (ie-plugging it in yourself) is rated at 3.7 kW, that can replenish the BMW’s 9.2 kWh battery in less than three hours using a wall box.

From electric socket, while charging power is limited due safety reasons/output limits, charging takes about five hours.

The 3.2 kW wireless system would take a little over three hours to charge the battery.

“In addition, BMW Wireless Charging for the high-voltage battery will be made available as an option for the BMW 530e iPerformance from 2018. This technology allows energy transfer to take place without the use of cables.

Presented by BMW in prototype form, the system consists of a base pad with integrated primary coil – which can be installed in a garage, for example, but also in the open – and a secondary coil integrated in the underside of the vehicle. An alternating magnetic field is generated between the two coils, through which electricity is transmitted without cables or contacts at a charge rate of up to 3.2 kW.

This form of power supply to the high-voltage battery is extremely convenient for customers and involves a charging time of around three-and-a-half hours.”

2017 BMW 530e – Video Review

Earlier this month, wee flew out out to Germany to test the new 530e iPerformance in the German Alps and on the Autobahn to demonstrate its impressive capabilities.

The BMW 530e sets a best in class pure electric range at 50 km or about 30 miles, and Bavarian engineers say this longer pure electric range should allow most owners to commute to work without using any petrol.

As for its power source, trailblazing BMW eDrive technology teams up an eDrive electric motor with a 4-cylinder 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo combustion engine to create an exceptionally efficient and powerful plug-in hybrid drive system.

To find out more, see the video review below.

Why the BMW i3 94 Ah is the king of mid range electric cars

June 2, 2017BMW, Electric Cars, i3 94Ah, News, Reviews and CommentJo

It’s just been crowned the inaugural 2017 World Urban Car Award winner at the New York International Show, but does the BMW i3 94 Ah (yes, that’s the model’s proper name, thank you very much) deserve recognition? Without doubt, the answer is a resounding yes. The attention is well-deserved.

Some car companies have taken charge (pun intended) and faced the future head on with the acceptance that either we like it or not, electric mobility is here to stay, while other car manufacturers are still in denial. BMW is among the leading manufacturers of this movement towards e-mobility.

The 2017 BMW i3 is amazing to drive, clean, elegant, subcompact (allowing you to park and maneuver easily), and widely available.

Compared with the original i3 (which has a battery capacity of 60 Ah), the 2017 BMW i3 has a larger battery in terms of capacity (94 Ah/33kwh), meaning increased driving range, but its physical size stays the same.

Another thing car enthusiasts are buzzing about the 2017 BMW i3 is the immediate response you get from the electric engine. It offers 150kW and 250Nm of torque, with both available anytime you want to use it.

One of the model’s biggest advantages lies in the way it is constructed. Underneath the 2017 BMW i3 is a carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell. This feature helps the car maintain its high torsional rigidity but at the same time without putting too much weight.

The 2017 BMW i3 offers satellite navigation, automatic lights and wipers, and a rear-view camera among its standard features. Other features include a multimedia system that boasts of four speakers plus a digital radio, as well as an interior trim mostly made of recycled material, sticking to its eco-friendly routes.

The 2017 BMW i3 BMW i3 comes with the standard complement of safety features. These include six airbags specifically designed for a model that has slim as well as lightweight seat frames.

The Power of Electric Vehicles – the BMW i3 #SilentPerformance

With the BMW i3, the world was introduced to a car developed to be not only emissions-free, but to bring the joy of driving to electric vehicles.

Suddenly, the downtown commute became far more relaxed and sustainable. Where not long ago there was engine noise, now power is delivered almost silently. Because sometimes the most powerful performances are silent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P33qGqqyzNA

Source: BMW

BMW Going All In on Electric Cars After EV Sales Jump 50 Percent

May 28, 2017BMW, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentJo

BMW announces massive electric vehicle sales growth in the first quarter of 2017—and it’s on track to sell a record number of EVs this year.

In announcing its sales data for 2017’s first quarter, BMW has shown substantial growth in its electric car department. Sales for BMW’s i3 and i8 plug-ins doubled from 2016’s report, totaling deliveries of nearly 20,000 units in just the first three months of 2017. Currently, EV sales account for three percent of BMW’s overall sales—and that number is expected to continue to climb.

We Are Therefore Well On Course To Delivering More Than 100,000 Electrified Vehicles For The First Time In 2017.

-HARALD KRÜGER, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT OF BMW AG
SHARE.

It certainly seems that BMW is in it for the long haul now when it comes to electric cars. It has become evident this is the shared thought amongst many manufacturers, as they invest more money into the infrastructure of electric charging and begin to pump out more and more EVs in the coming years. BMW has announced its plans to release several new EVs in the near future, including a new i8 roadster in 2018, a fully electric Mini in 2019, a fully electric X3 in 2020, and BMW’s autonomous electric iNext concept in 2021.

Why is BMW investing so much in electric cars? BMW recognizes the growth in sales, sure. But from a marketing perspective, BMW states that, from experience, they know customers prefer to have choices. And BMW has taken that to mean EVs, so it is prioritizing electrification of its vehicle lineup to meet this demand. BMW currently has eight variations of electric vehicles available for consumers to purchase.

Another realization that the manufacturer has attributed to the adoption of EVs is that the vehicles’ usable range is constantly increasing. This could be why BMW agreed to invest in a considerable sum in peppering the nation with more chargers in previously-unutilized spots.

With BMW on pace to sell 100,000 electric vehicles in 2017, the charging infrastructure will continue to grow. The luxury brand shifting focus towards electrifying its fleet will only help to push this agenda, as well as help grow the brand’s sales numbers during the upcoming months. Large players like Tesla will continue to push the limits of adoption, as their vehicle offerings compete with an emerging market. BMW has shown its intent to compete in this rapidly changing market by offering more options to consumers.

Source: The Drive

BMW Q1 2017 Plug-In Sales At 4% Of Total Sales, Double Year Ago

May 27, 2017BMW, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentJo

BMW released its sales results for the first quarter of 2017, and boasted of twice higher sales of plug-in vehicles compared to the previous year.

Total deliveries amounted 19,400 (up 101%), which was a 3.85% share of the total 503,438 BMW vehicles sold during the period.

We also got some insights/splits between the BMW i and iPerformance brands:

BMW i – 8,098 (up 57.9%)
BMW iPerformance – 11,302 (up 150%)

The BMW i3 is still the most popular plug-in model with 7,431 sales in Q1 (up 67%), while the i8 decreased by 3% to 667.

BMW Group vehicles with electrified drivetrains performed particularly well during the first quarter, as nearly 20,000 BMW i3, BMW i8 and BMW iPerformance plug-in hybrids were sold, twice the previous year’s corresponding figure.

“We are therefore well on course to delivering more than 100,000 electrified vehicles for the first time in 2017,”

Krüger stated.

Electrified vehicles accounted for more than three per cent of all BMW Group vehicle deliveries to customers in the first quarter (Q1 2016: 1.7%).

With the launch of the BMW i3 almost four years ago, the BMW Group was an early pioneer of electric mobility and has remained true to its strategy ever since. When the first MINI brand plug-in hybrid model is introduced in summer 2017, the BMW Group will have nine electrified models in its portfolio. The BMW i8 Roadster is set to follow in the coming year and the first all-electric MINI is due in 2019. In 2020, the battery-powered BMW X3 will integrate all-electric mobility into the Group’s core brand. One year later, the new BMW iNEXT is set to take to the roads. As the BMW Group’s new technological spearhead, it will set the benchmark in the future-oriented ACES fields Autonomous, Connected, Electrified and Services/Shared.”

Source: Inside EVs