To go with announced, wide-range electric cars like the Opel Ampera-e again at eye level, gets the BMW i3 2018 a renewed battery update: Then the range on 450 kilometers after current European driving cycle rise, reports the magazine "car, engine and sport" with reference to company circles.
BMW has recently been offering a new battery with 33 kWh for the small electric car, with which the i3 can achieve a standard range of 300 kilometers. The slightly larger Opel Ampera-e is due to come onto the market in spring 2017 and with its 60 kWh battery can travel a good 500 kilometers.
With the new 33 kWh battery, which BMW has been offering for an extra charge of 1.200 euros since the summer, it has already been possible to increase demand, in some markets by 50 to 60 percent, reports the magazine. The renewed increase in range from 2018 onwards will again be achieved with a more powerful battery of the same size, because there is no space for a significantly larger battery in the i3 due to the carbon structure of the vehicle.
According to BMW, most i3 customers are satisfied with the previous range, but new customers have underestimated “the emotional component” of this limitation. The carbon concept, in which the body is almost unchangeable, is nothing for entry into the mass market of electromobility, according to “Auto Motor und Sport” at the Munich car manufacturer. Nevertheless, the concept of an electric car, which is very different from conventionally powered vehicles, was correct.
For large quantities of e-cars, conventional models will have to be available in the near future. Thus, the new X3 2019 from according to the magazine also with purely electric drive to buy. There will also be an electric mini. A new BMW i with a larger carbon body could therefore come 2021 on the market, then with autonomous driving functions.
(Hanne Schweitzer / SP-X)