The BMW i3 is an incredibly unique vehicle. It is a car that operates entirely on electric power. Many believe that these types of vehicles represent the future, but is it worth looking into them today? We delved into this question.
The BMW i3 premiered in 2013, yet this interesting and innovative vehicle still evokes strong emotions today. During four days of testing, I had the opportunity to see how this electric car performs in the city.
Technical Specifications of the BMW i3
The BMW i3 is a car equipped with an electric motor. I tested the base version, powered solely by this type of drive, although there is also a Range Extender version with a 0.6-liter internal combustion engine available. The gasoline serves only to extend the range of the electric motor.
The electric motor has 125 kW, roughly equivalent to 170 horsepower. It is a very lively unit. The maximum torque is 250 Nm, with a century on the speedometer appearing in 7.2 seconds. This acceleration allows leaving the vast majority of cars in the city at traffic lights. The maximum speed is 152 km/h.
I truly feel the power under the gas pedal. In urban conditions, it can sometimes feel excessive because the car accelerates very easily. However, this is an advantage because, of course, the goal is not to break records in city centers but to prioritize safety. It's reassuring to know you have the power reserve to react quickly to unexpected road situations.
The acceleration itself is a very peculiar sensation. The electric motor does not require a standard gearbox, so the acceleration is completely uniform at all speeds. However, the strangest part is the absence of engine noise, typically present in combustion engine cars when the vehicle revs high.
During rapid acceleration, the electric motor emits a sound resembling a moving subway train, but when stationary, the car is almost silent when not charging. Especially at low speeds when there is no wind noise.
The car brakes are fortunately very effective. Initially, their operation was a big surprise because they engage as soon as we release the gas pedal.
This is how the energy recuperation system works. Thanks to this, during a typical city drive, we rarely need to use the brake pedal. The car can be controlled solely with the gas pedal — we accelerate by pressing it and brake by lifting our foot. Brake lights illuminate immediately upon lifting the foot off the gas pedal.
When it comes to maneuvering in tight conditions, the BMW i3 excels. The maneuverability of this car is truly impressive.
Read also BMW 3 Series Sedan Review and our other BMW reviews.
Regarding most cars, the term «city cars» is often heard, but the BMW i3 takes this term very seriously.
Electric Car Features
«City car» is a popular term that means little. Even the smallest passenger car can venture outside the city and complete a long journey if necessary. It may not be convenient or fast, but it is possible.
In this regard, the BMW i3 is entirely different. When offered the chance to test this car, I initially wanted to drive it around my hometown. It turned out to be a dizzying and impossible task. The range of the BMW i3 is only 120 km, so a 200 km trip without a recharge is not feasible.
Another issue is the lack of fast charging stations on intercity routes. It's true that the car can charge from any socket, but it will take about 8 hours.
The range can be extended using special driving modes Eco Pro and Eco Pro Plus. The former has a speed limiter, and the latter limits the speed to a maximum of 90 km/h, plus, the air conditioning cannot be used. This can increase the driving range by about 50-60 km.
An electric car is somewhat akin to a smartphone. It's best when we can charge them at home, for example, overnight.
If you have your own garage, charging concerns are nonexistent. You can leave the car to charge overnight. The BMW i3 will charge from a standard electric socket, but owners of this car should consider installing a Wallbox charging device, which will charge the car faster.
In large cities, charging points can be found. The vast majority of them are standard charging stations (16 A), so they should be seen as a «battery» that recharges the battery during the day. Charging the entire battery takes 6-8 hours.
In major cities, there are also several fast charging stations (125 A) that can charge 80% of the battery in less than 30 minutes. With this, a quick 20-minute charge will give us a range of about 100 km.
It's important to note that after connecting the cable to the common charging station and locking the car, the cable is secured, allowing us to leave the car in the parking lot without any worries.
The lithium-ion battery capacity is 18.8 kWh, and energy consumption is 12.9 kWh per 100 km.
BMW i3 — Zero Emission Car, Is It Really?
The CO2 emissions in the BMW i3 stand at precisely 0.0 g/km because there is no combustion engine. But is it true that the electric motor has no impact on the environment?
The situation is more complex because electricity doesn't come out of thin air. The majority of electricity is generated by burning coal. So, while we don't pollute the center of our city with an electric car, somewhere at a power plant, coal is burning. On the other hand, power plants must generate electricity regardless.
Overall, an electric car will be a more environmentally friendly solution, for example, in Scandinavian countries where a large portion of electricity comes from renewable sources.
BMW, however, pays great attention to ecology.
You can see it in the finishing materials. The BMW i3 body is made of... plastic reinforced with carbon fiber. This significantly reduced the weight of the car. In the interior, alongside eucalyptus wood and leather, we find materials recycled from PET bottles. 95% of the materials used in BMW i3 production are recycled.
BMW i3 Interior
Regarding the interior, everything is good, but I have some comments.
The BMW i3 interior is very distinctive, and I liked it a lot. Especially the contoured wooden panel on the dashboard looks superb. Overall, the interior gives off a high-class car impression, but unfortunately, this impression is marred by the hard, unpleasant plastic.
The driving position is comfortable. There is surprisingly ample space in the middle considering the car's size. The only complaints might come from rear passengers as there isn't much legroom, but the ceiling is high.
A downside is the rear visibility. The mirrors are too small, making overtaking challenging. Fortunately, when in reverse, we can use the convenient rear-view camera.
In the middle of the dashboard, there is a large multimedia screen where we can find, among other things, navigation. The multimedia system is precisely what is needed. Modern and easy to use.
A second screen can be found behind the wheel. It displays speed and the most essential data. The driving mode lever, located not on the center console but behind the wheel, is designed in an interesting manner.
The speakers used in the car are Harman Kardon units, but I expected them to perform better. Unfortunately, they are mediocre.
Origami Car
A separate paragraph belongs to the rear doors. Their designers had no shortage of imagination. The doors open differently than in most cars. They open together with the central lock, making the car look very interesting after both doors are open.
To open the rear door, first open the front door. This is inconvenient, especially when exiting the car. For the rear passenger to get out, the front passenger must first unbuckle the seatbelt (located in the rear door), then open the door and release the rear passenger.
Is It Worth Buying the BMW i3 Electric Car
The base version of the BMW i3 costs around $40,000, and the variant I tested was well-equipped and priced at $59,000. This is a lot for a city car, but BMW is not your typical urban guy.
I can recommend this car to people who want to try something new and explore the future of the automotive industry. Because undoubtedly, the future lies in electric cars.
Due to its range, the car will only function as a second or even third car in the family. It's a typical city car for commuting to work, visiting friends, or going shopping.
Most importantly, the car drives very nicely. It's quick, dynamic, and genuinely comfortable, especially when considering the car's dimensions. The BMW i3 also piques the curiosity of passersby. Every time I connected the car to a charging station, at least a few people approached me to chat and learn more about the vehicle.
If you are looking for an interesting city car and can spend around $59,000 for this purpose, I recommend considering the purchase of the BMW i3. Of course, only if you live in a large city where the charging station infrastructure is already well developed.
