Introduced in 2013, the premium compact BMW i3 has powered commuters, families and switched-on drivers looking to reduce emissions without having to compromise on driving pleasure. Staying true to the BMW i ethos of combining emissions-free travel with dynamic handling and performance, the new, all-electric BMW i3 and i3s are once again leading the charge with a larger battery cell capacity and an increased range.
Doubling in size, the new battery on the all-electric BMW i3 and i3s now has a capacity of 120Ah and a gross energy content of 42.2kWh.
The new i3 and i3s are about innovation and cutting-edge technology, but they are also about style, comfort and practicality. The introduction of the new battery also brings a new exterior colour and a new colour for the optional interior world ‘Loft’ as well as optional Adaptive LED headlights featuring anti-dazzle functionality.
Optional telephony with wireless charging and wireless LAN hotspot will also be available for the BMW i3 and BMW i3s.
Larger battery capacity with no increase in battery size.
Designed and developed independently by the BMW Group as an integral part of the eDrive technology, the batteries within the i3 and i3s are installed deep in the floor. The lithium-ion high performance cells are combined with a cooling system that constantly keeps the battery at optimum operating temperature, thus increasing output and service life. The latest range of high-voltage batteries on the new BMW i3 and i3s have increased in capacity without any increase in size.
In real terms, this enables the BMW and the BMW i3s to achieve a significantly further enhanced all-electric range. The official range of the BMW i3 is 223 miles (previously 180 to 186 miles) according to NEDC. For the BMW i3s, a range of 214 miles (previously 174 miles) according to NEDC. This means 192 miles of driving range according to WLTP.
During everyday use, the two models are now able to cover a distance of 160 miles – an increase of almost 30 per cent from the previous 94Ah models. The combined power consumption of the BMW i3 is 13.1kWh per 62 miles, while the BMW i3s has a power consumption of 14.6kWh per 62 miles.
Charging
Maintaining reserves and charging the BMW i3 and i3s is fed through high-quality electronics to allow fast and flexible charging of the lithium-ion cells compatible with rapid-charging stations, public charging as well as charging at home. Using rapid-charging stations that run on DC power, the charging capacity is 50kW and this way the high voltage battery will reach 80 per cent of its total power in just 42 minutes.
Charging via the BMW i Wallbox enables fast charging with a capacity of 7.4 kW. Here the time required to achieve an 80 per cent charge of the large-capacity high-voltage battery is 4.9 hours. The BMW i Wallbox Connect also extends the functionality of the globally unique BMW Digital Charging Service to provide intelligent charging for optimal cost efficiency and allows customers to make best use of self-generated solar energy. In addition, it is also possible to control the charging process using a smartphone app and manage usage by means of an access card. Drivers with a registered ChargeNow card have simple access to the UK’s largest network of public charging stations.
Meanwhile, the standard charging cable, which is designed to be plugged into a conventional household socket, can be used to charge a BMW i3 to up to 80 per cent of its full power in approximately 15 hours with a charging capacity of 2.3 kW.
Click here to read the full article.
Source and photo credits: BMW
