RE: Could you buy a BMW i3?

[handbraketurn]

Next house I buy I'm getting solar put in which will have loads of extra capacity which will get fed back to the grid for peanuts. I was thinking an electric car would be ideal for getting around close to the house. Free to run.

[jackpe]

The Moose said:

So, I'd need to charge the car once on Monday at once and once on Friday (again at work) before going home for the weekend, maybe with a little top up during the week for good measure.

make the commute "free"...!

Electricity is not free..
and the more popular electric cars become the more expensive charging them will become as well. There is no way the government is going to loose out on loads of petrol tax revenue, electricity prices will either go up or taxing these cars will eventually become very expensive.

[JD]

jackpe said:

Electricity is not free..

It is if you plug it in at work!

[kambites]

jackpe said:

and the more popular electric cars become the more expensive charging them will become as well.

I disagree. Taxing electricity for automotive use would be too complicated to enforce. What they'll do, is fill the budget hole by charging for road use.

[ewenm]

Interesting car that fits none of my needs, so I wouldn't consider it but I'm sure others will.

[Actus Reus]

Considering one for the wife - she commutes about 8 miles a day by car currently, and we use her snotter for the odd run at weekends, rarely above about 60miles as a round trip. However, all things considered, I'll probably still get her a 118d.

[Monty Python]

If distance is an issue, buy the range extender version (however, don't expect to carry anything larger than a toothbrush in the boot).

Edited by Monty Python on Tuesday 30th July 13:07

[troc]

It would be pretty much perfect for my wife to do her rounds in on a daily basis - especially as we could charge it on the drive at home of an evening. I like it to be honest and it's pretty close to what I would want in a second, city car - ideal for local driving around the Hague/Rotterdam area we live in.

Shame she refuses to drive anything with a BMW badge (and, yes we do have a MINI which she drives daily............ )

[dc2rr07]

garyhun said:

No, but I will take an i8.

+1

But will it look like that of the production line, the i3 looks a lot better when it was a concept than now.

[crispyshark]

it looks too much like the little armored things with wings that fly around your garden around this time of the year, annoying you at bbq's. Not for me.

Tech gets a though.

[smallgun]

Why only an extra 86 miles using the range extender?

[anonymous-user]

I'm going to stick my neck out here and say two things:

1) i quite like it

and


2) I suspect it's another of those BMW styling exercises, which look "funny" when released, but weirdly, about 3 years down the line suddenly look "just right"..........

[Carnnoisseur]

drivin_me_nuts said:

No, not a chance. Even a daily commute of mine is 130 miles without traffic delays.

It may be the future, but until 'the future' offers a MINIMUM of a 400 mile charge then it's not happening for me. The future, for the foreseeable one at least is I suspect, one of ever more complex hybrids.

Saw the Tesla S at Goodwood, triple the range (300m), but alas, also double the price..

[Monty Python]

smallgun said:

Why only an extra 86 miles using the range extender?

Fuel thimble only holds two gallons and evidently can't produce enough electricity to keep the batteries fully charged (a la Ampera).

[DeadMeat_UK]

I've got about a 10 mile each way drive along narrow lanes every day, so I quite like the idea of this.

Looks interesting in the pics, but will have to see it in the flesh and take it for a drive before I could make an informed comment.

I'd guess it's a bit of a hoot to drive with light weight and electric insta-torque.

The killer for me was if it was as bad as traditional RWD BMWs when it snows - it would kill it as an all year car for me.

[TheRoadWarrior]

Would I buy one today, for my specific requirements and the way I drive? No.

Do I think BMW are doing some excellent work in making electric cars practical, usable and affordable? Yes.

Do I think there will be quite a few i3's on the road in the next few years? Yes.

[Monty Python]

DeadMeat_UK said:

I've got about a 10 mile each way drive along narrow lanes every day, so I quite like the idea of this.

Looks interesting in the pics, but will have to see it in the flesh and take it for a drive before I could make an informed comment.

I'd guess it's a bit of a hoot to drive with light weight and electric insta-torque.

The killer for me was if it was as bad as traditional RWD BMWs when it snows - it would kill it as an all year car for me.

Shouldn't be that bad - it doesn't have 19" rims with painted-on tyres.

[FlossyThePig]

thecremeegg said:

This is the problem, they aren't the future so why waste time and money on the things? Why not spend more time on something like a hydrogen car or if they insist on sticking with electric then develop some better batteries?

So what sort of hydrogen car are you talking about? Fuel cell (it's still electric) or ICE?
How do you get the hydrogen?
How do you store the hydrogen in the car?
Have you looked into the research that is being done in batteries recently?

[TheRoadWarrior]

mrclav said:

Welcome to the future...

...Of ridiculous tyre sizes! All are welcome!

[DeadMeat_UK]

mrclav said:

Welcome to the future...

Agreed. Good to see some innovation and different additional options from the mainstream instead of only tweaking the existing car model ad-infinitum.