Electrification of the transport industry is a must as we are heading towards horrible global warming. BMW announced its own electric car, the i3, in 2013 to combat this issue. The car is a hatchback, but it provides very good range and the driving experience is also not compromised.
Overview
The i3 is an electric vehicle aimed to provide an ICE cars replacement. It has an AC electric motor paired with a 42 V lithium-ion battery. The estimated range of this car can be increased from 81 miles to almost 153 miles. The car can go from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 and the top speed is 93 mph.
Reliability
Electric cars are assumed to be the most reliable cars because they don’t have any moving parts. These cars also don’t need much oiling, so it is a time saver as well. However, it is not entirely true and these cars can be pretty unreliable if the built is not up to the mark.
The i3 is a reliable car with mostly organizations rating it 4 out of 5 stars. The build quality is very decent and there are not many issues. However, it is still not bulletproof and can cost you money in maintenance and other replacement of parts.
Safety
The safety of cars is an important thing to discuss. The i3 has been rated 4 out of 5 stars by the Euro NCAP. It is not the best BMW score, but it is still better than many. Passenger safety is very good but being a very small car, crash safety has some downsides. Other than that, it is a very safe car to drive.
Maintenance and repairing
Electric cars don’t have many moving parts, but they still need some maintenance and oiling. If you want to keep your i3 the way it was at the first time, you should spend some money on its maintenance. It would cost you around $500 to $1,000 per year for stuff like engine oil, brake fluid, spark plugs, etc.
FAQ
Is BMW i3 a Front-Wheel-Drive, Rear-Wheel-Drive or All-Wheel-Drive car?
The BMW i3 is a Rear-Wheel Drive car.
How many seats are in the BMW i3?
The BMW i3 is a car with 4 seats. The EPA Classification for this car is: Subcompact Cars
What is the horsepower in a BMW i3 and does it have a turbo?
The BMW i3 has 181 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque. The engine is a Electric/Gas with a displacement of 0.65 The fuel system is: Sequential MPI (injection).
What type of wheels does it have?
BMW i3 has 20 X 5.5 inch Forged Aluminum Front Wheels and 20 X 6 inch Forged Aluminum Rear Wheels.
Does BMW i3 have problems?
According to some owners, the defect in the design causes the vehicle’s speed to drop suddenly when the battery charge falls below a certain level. Some owners also experienced a loss of their brake lights, which can cause a sudden drop in speed.
How long will a BMW i3 last?
The i3’s battery comes with an 8-year, 100,000-mile warranty. This is standard for electric cars this small. There have not been any reports of i3s running out of battery power. Early 2013 cars still exist and are highly valued on the used market.