German Car Giants BMW Launchs World's First Mass Electric Car Set To Hit Roads In November

German car giants BMW has started a revolution by launching  the world's first mass production electric car.

The company on Monday 29th of July 2013 revealed the 2014 BMW i3 electric car, in an effort to make electric cars viable. 

"We are at the starting blocks of a new era, the era of sustainable mobility," said BMW Chairman Norbert Reithofer. "The BMW i3 is more than an evolutionary step. It's a great leap forward."

By designing for electric power from scratch, BMW solved many typical Electric Vehicle shortcomings while adding a few new benefits. The i3 has as much interior room as a 3-Series midsize sedan in the footprint of a compact car. BMW's biggest breakthrough for the i3 may be its carbon-fiber frame, the first in a mass-produced vehicle, which cuts the i3 weight to 2,700 lbs., about 500 less than the Nissan Leaf.

BMW claims that weight savings means the i3 does not sacrifice the company’s reputation for handling or performance in the name of environmental benefits. The electric motor powering the rear wheels generate 170 hp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque, enough to carry the i3 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. Like all BMWs, the i3’s weight sits balanced evenly between front and back, with the 450-lb. lithium-ion battery pack over the rear wheels for better traction.

The basic i3 can travel 80 to 100 miles on a charge, with several software settings that can attempt to maximize that distance through steps such as more aggressive energy recapture from braking. For those buyers who simply don’t trust battery power alone, the i3 will offer a gas-powered range extender — a small two-cylinder engine borrowed from its motorcycle division mounted in the rear that recharges the batteries and roughly doubles the i3’s range. (Owners will also be able to borrow a gas-powered BMW for a few weeks a year.)

The i3 can't compete with the upcoming i8 when it comes to speed, but it will offer drivers ample pep for daily commuting. It can accelerate to 30 mph (48 km/h) in 3.5 seconds and 60 mph (96.5 km/h) in about double that time. The car's top speed is 93 mph (150 km/h), which is electronically limited to conserve electricity.

The interior carries over the sci-fi theme, with a waving dash and seats combining LED lighting, touch screens and “responsibly forested” eucalyptus. It’s indicative of the lengths BMW has gone to give the i3 an environmentally beneficial aura: The interior leather was tanned with olive leaf extract, the Washington factory that makes the carbon fiber for the chassis uses hydroelectric power, and even the key fob is made from renewable materials — namely pressed castor seeds.

BMW reminds driver and passengers they're in the most eco-friendly of rides using a portfolio of available sustainable materials it calls "Next Premium." The sustainable eucalyptus wood trim showed in the concept stages carries over to production, as does the olive leaf-tanned leather. Parts of the instrument panel and door panels are made from natural fibers procured from southern Asia’s Kenaf plant.

Navigation and infotainment is handled by a SIM card-powered BMW ConnectedDrive system tailored specifically to electric driving. BMW i Navigation delivers a real-world driving range estimate and mapping visualization, taking factors like elevation and distance into account. The system also provides information about nearby charging stations.

On the road, the driver has access to a ConnectedDrive agent at all times of the day. The agent can provide information about things like charging stations and points of interest. BMW's Intelligent eCall provides emergency assistance, sending information about the location, number of front-seat occupants, and crash severity to the BMW ConnectedDrive Call Center, which notifies the appropriate 911 dispatch.

The i3 also leverages the latest mobile technology to enhance functionality both in and out of the car. An Apple cable connects iPhone owners with apps and phone features. The BMW i Remote smartphone app offers functions like battery monitoring, car location, and door locking and unlocking.
At $42,275(About N6.7million) before incentives, the i3’s sticker price is high but not outlandish for a BMW showroom.

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