BMW I3 Charging Issues

[ottomano]

I have an I3 that I leased a few months ago. At first, when I fully charged the battery, I would see a range of 55 miles to 110+ depending on the setting. Lately, on a full charge, my range starts at 55 for comfort and only extends to 57 and 60+ respectively for Eco Pro and Eco Pro +. Has anyone else experienced a similar issue? I am wondering if this a charger unit issue or a batter issue.

 

[jadnashuanh]

For most people in the northern hemisphere, as warmer weather approaches, they are seeing longer ranges available. But, consider that the i3 bases its range estimate on the last 18-miles of your driving, the current state of charge, and the temperature. Without knowing your driving pattern and what else is going on, what you're seeing could be entirely normal, or a problem.

 

[jelloslug]

Now that it is warmer where I live I see predicted ranges of 90 to 65 (miles) depending on conditions. The reality is that I usually get ~80+ per charge right now.

 

[PhilH]

I have an I3 that I leased a few months ago. At first, when I fully charged the battery, I would see a range of 55 miles to 110+ depending on the setting. Lately, on a full charge, my range starts at 55 for comfort and only extends to 57 and 60+ respectively for Eco Pro and Eco Pro +. Has anyone else experienced a similar issue? I am wondering if this a charger unit issue or a batter issue.

It's important to note that what you are seeing is not range: it's estimated range. Range is what you get when you actually drive the car; estimated range is what the car guesses it might do. Focus on the former, not the latter.

 

[jadnashuanh]

Since my destinations vary along with the traffic and terrain, it is not uncommon for me to drive 5-10 miles and not see the range estimate drop from where it started! This is because, the previous trip(s) weren't either driven in the most economical way, there were lots of short segments, or it was colder, or, I didn't precondition the vehicle and my current trip is more energy use friendly.

Your gas gauge on your ICE may say full, but depending on whether you're driving stop and go in the city or out non-stop on the highway, if it has an estimated range to empty, it can vary all over the place and not represent what you are going to get THIS trip. On my ICE, I can see anywhere from 275 to 550 miles on a tank...all depending on how and where it is driven. RIght now, it says 350 miles to empty, and since most of the next miles will be in the city, I'll get nowhere near that. It is a guess based on previous use, that's all.

You had to learn your last vehicles' capabilities, you have to do the same with the i3. The tools aren't perfect or omniscient; they're guesses. Educated guesses, but still, just a guess.