
$3 for 160km of travel - but would you pay BMW $63,900?
HOW much would you pay for an electric vehicle? Would it change if it wears a premium badge? That is the $63,900 question.
BMW has revealed the pricing for its new i3 electric car, which will be available later this year.
One overnight charge will cost you about $3 and provide a range of 130-160km.
It will start from $63,900, while the range extender model with a two-cylinder petrol engine attracts a $6000 premium.
The latter improves the i3's range to 240-300km.
BMW's i3 will be the third electric vehicle to go on sale in Australia.
The two predecessors, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and Nissan Leaf, have struggled.
The $48,800 i-MiEV is no longer in showrooms due to poor interest, while Nissan is offering the Leaf at $39,990 drive-away - which is a $20,000 discount on original pricing.
Australians have begun warming to hybrids such as the Prius and Camry from Toyota. More than 40% of Lexus sales this year have been hybrids, while Holden has the plug-in hybrid Volt and Mitsubishi has just released the PHEV hybrid SUV.
The new BMW i3 could be the game-changer electric cars need to become mainstream.
Using a standard household 10-amp plug, it takes 11 hours to charge from empty. A BMW 16amp wallbox takes about half that time.
More public charging facilities, which can provide a complete charge in about three hours, are expected to be announced by BMW closer to the vehicle's showroom launch.
VITAL STATISTICS
- Model: BMW i3.
- Weight: 1195kg (1315kg REx).
- Electric motor: Generates 125kW and a maximum torque of 250Nm from rest.
- Power consumption: 0.13 kilowatt hours per kilometre.
- Fuel consumption: 0 litres/100km; 0.6L/100km (REx).
- CO2: 0g/km; 13g/km (REx).
- Performance: 0-100 kmh in 7.2 seconds, 80-120kmh in 4.9 seconds; top speed 150kmh (limited, to maximise range).
- Warranty: Three-year unlimited kilometres, battery has an eight-year 100,000km warranty.
- Bottom line plus on-roads: i3 $63,900, i3 (REx)$69,900.
Reader poll
Has BMW got the price on the i3 right?
This poll ended on 11 May 2014.
Current Results
Yep ... where do I sign?
12%
Maybe ... let's see how it goes
21%
Tell 'em they're dreamin'
65%
This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.
