Small light-weight cutting-edge electric car

Likely the lightest EV on the market, the i3 has a liquid-cooled 22-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack on board. It offers 90-plus miles of range, and a 170-horsepower electric motor driving the rear wheels.

More details and specs in the full review

 

BMW’s Robertson Makes Big Promises for Electric Cars

By Brad Berman ·
June 12, 2013

Nissan, General Motors and a handful of electric car start-ups spent the past few years setting inflated expectations for the electric car market. The bubbles popped a while ago—due to modest sales, slashed pricing and high-profile bankruptcies (although Tesla’s recent success continues to feed the blogosphere with frothy news). Now that BMW is entering the EV market—and probably wasn’t paying close attention to the U.S. electric car market—Ian Robertson, board member for sales and marketing, is whipping up a new set of overly optimistic expectations.

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BMW Videos Emphasize Carbon Fiber in Electric Car Strategy

By Brad Berman ·
May 20, 2013

The use of lightweight carbon fiber car bodies in BMW’s upcoming electric cars is the focus of a new series of videos produced by the company. The set of 10 videos released on YouTube last week, promote the i3 all-electric compact car and i8 plug-in hybrid sports car.

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At $40,000, BMW i3 Is Too Expensive

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield ·
May 07, 2013

After more than six years of testing electric car technology, BMW will soon be launching its first mass-produced electric car, the i3 city car. BMW North America C.E.O. Ludwig Willisch recently revealed that the i3 will cost about the same as a well-equipped BMW 3-series, or around $40,000. While $40,000 might sound a reasonable cost for a mid-range BMW, it’s not a competitive price for BMW’s first production electric car. Here’s why.

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Discussions

BMW’s Robertson Makes Big Promises for Electric Cars

Article · comments

Brad Berman says:
Nissan, General Motors and a handful of electric car start-ups spent the past few years setting inflated expectations...

BMW Videos Emphasize Carbon Fiber in Electric Car Strategy

Article · comments

Brad Berman says:
The use of lightweight carbon fiber car bodies in BMW’s upcoming electric cars is the focus of a new series of videos...

At $40,000, BMW i3 Is Too Expensive

BMW Article · comments

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield says:
After more than six years of testing electric car technology, BMW will soon be launching its first mass-produced...

BMW Encourages Hackers to Develop Sustainable Electric Car Future

Article · comments

Brad Berman says:
The BMW Sustainability Hackathon, held at BMW’s Group Technology Office in Mountain View, Calif., was designed to give...

Electric Car Dealers Must Address Concerns about Batteries

Article · comments

Tom Moloughney says:
Car shoppers visiting a dealership to buy a conventional gasoline-powered car know what to expect from the vehicle when...

BMW i3 US Deliveries to Start in January 2014

Article · comments

Eric Loveday says:
On November 16, 2013, the global segment of plug-in vehicles will grow by one with the launch of the highly anticipated...

BMW to Sell i3, i8 Directly Over the Internet

Article · comments

Eric Loveday says:
For the first time ever, German automaker BMW will sell a pair of its vehicles online. In a move designed to reduce...

In Detroit: BMW's Premium Electric Branding

BMW i Article · comments

Jim Motavalli says:
At the auto show, BMW's braintrust gathered to talk about its goal with the new electric i brand, starting with a city...

What We Know About the Electric BMW i4

Article · comments

Brad Berman says:
The idea that BMW could produce a plug-in car with slightly more room than the i3—and one that possibly uses a gas...

Here Comes the Electric Autobahn

Article · comments

Michael Coates says:
During the past few months, I've had the chance to drive representative models from each of the German "Big Three."...

BMW's Big Push on Electrics: Don't Believe the Doubters, the Company Says

BMW i Article · comments

Jim Motavalli says:
By some accounts, BMW's commitment to its fledgling i brand is wavering, but the company says it's plugging in as fast...

Lansing, MI - Saturday 9/22 Plug-in Day Road Rally

Discussion · comments

MaggieMichigan says:
Hi All - Plug-in drivers in Michigan - register TODAY for this Saturday's plug-in EV road rally!...

BMW CEO Urges German Government to Immediately Enact a Plug-In Vehicle Subsidy Law

Article · comments

Eric Loveday says:
BMW chief executive officer, Norbert Reithofer, is urging Germany to enact a law that will provide tax subsidies for...

BMW i3 Could Carry Price Tag of $44,000-Plus

Article · comments

Eric Loveday says:
Roughly equivalent in size to the current Mini Cooper, the electric 2014 BMW i3 will reportedly cost upwards of $44,000.

BMW Ready to Delay Launch of i3 and i8

Article · comments

Eric Loveday says:
BMW may have overestimated the popularity of plug-in vehicles and now believes that the "external catalysts" that it...

To German Automakers, Electric Car Is Slow Growth Market

Article · comments

Laurent J. Masson says:
Last week, we learned that Audi is cancelling two EVs. Now, BMW is reviewing its electric car plans. The project is...

The Top 11 Discoveries From the BMW i3 and i8 Unveils

BMW Article · comments

Nick Chambers says:
The BMW i subbrand represents a paradigm shift of everything from how cars are built, to what materials they use, to...

BMW Holds Electric Car Sneak Preview in NYC

BMW i Article · comments

Tom Moloughney says:
BMW had what they called a “Special Sneak Peak Event” today at Center 548 gallery today in New York City. It was the...

First Drive: BMW ActiveE Electric Coupe

Article · comments

Tom Moloughney says:
This week, I participated in the BMW ActiveE press event at BMW headquarters in Munich. It was the first time anyone...

BMW i3 Concept Revealed

Article · comments

Tom Moloughney says:
BMW held a press conference today and officially unveiled their concept i3 and i8 cars. It was great to see them...