Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveinArizona
Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWModel3
BMW Corporate: i3 sales are slow therefore no demand for BEVs
Everyone else:
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Duh. The range of the I3 probably works well for Europe. In the US, where distances traveled tend to stretch out (in greater Phoenix I think of anything with ten miles as my neighborhood), the range is too short. Of course, that can be somewhat lengthened with the range extender but it only extends it a little and, more importantly, at least to me, it is too underpowered. If BMW wants to have a range extender, it needs a bigger ICE. But, I don't think serial hybrids work that well in the US; we need parallel hybrids like my 530e.
Yes...there will continue to be ICE autos for a long time but the march to electrification is unstoppable. This is especially true in China which is the biggest market for BMW.
Head in the sand! |
The i3 is a commuter car. More range would certainly be a plus, but my commute is 80 miles round trip. I think I'm on the upper spectrum of commute distances. In my opinion, the i3 is the perfect secondary companion car. I have an i3 and an M3 CS. It's a great combo. Personally, the 530e is not a substitute for an i3 simply because the operational costs are too high. The short electric only range is no good for me, although those with nice short commutes would benefit. Both the 530e and the i3 fill their own specific niches.
As far as being underpowered I have to strongly disagree. True, it's not anywhere near as quick as my 453hp M3 CS, but in city traffic it's the 0-30 that matters most along with the instant torque and tight maneuverability. It's lighter, smaller, and more nimble for city traffic than my M3 CS and your 530e. 0-30 in 3.1 seconds is not bad at all.