i3 Batteries designed to be upgraded.

[Parker]

When I first saw the very neat square box of batteries under the i3 I thought its got to be easy to swap or upgrade these when new tech comes along ....... and so it proves to be.

Its reassuring to have a potential upgrade path at the outset.

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/bmw-i3-can-be-upgraded-/266198

"The next generation of technology is already being tested,' said Dr Martin Arlt, head of planning and steering at BMW's Project i, 'but we already know that it can be used in the i3's construction. Then we could offer the owner the chance to swap out the existing batteries"

Have Nissan or GM made similar offers re. upgrading the current versions batteries?...... I'm aware Tesla have.

Anyone have an idea what percentage of the cost of the i3 the batteries are likely to be?

 

[TomMoloughney]

When I first saw the very neat square box of batteries under the i3 I thought its got to be easy to swap or upgrade these when new tech comes along ....... and so it proves to be.

Its reassuring to have a potential upgrade path at the outset.

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/bmw-i3-can-be-upgraded-/266198

"The next generation of technology is already being tested,' said Dr Martin Arlt, head of planning and steering at BMW's Project i, 'but we already know that it can be used in the i3's construction. Then we could offer the owner the chance to swap out the existing batteries"

Have Nissan or GM made similar offers re. upgrading the current versions batteries?...... I'm aware Tesla have.

Anyone have an idea what percentage of the cost of the i3 the batteries are likely to be?

It's difficult to predict future prices. The battery in the i3 should last you 7-10 years depending on how well you care for it and how much you drive/charge it. So realistically you wouldn't need a new battery until 2021-2024. It's just not possible to really put a number on it now, and even the manufacturers won't speculate. Nissan won't even give a replacement price of the pack now. You heard that right. If you own a Nissan LEAF today and go to a dealership and ask what the replacement cost of a battery pack is they won't tell you.

It's estimated that the packs cost around $500 per kWH so the i3's 22kWH pack probably costs BMW around $11,000 for the cells alone, then they have to package them and install the BMS system. I would venture to guess the pack in the i3 costs about $15,000US today. Lithium ion battery prices have been dropping at about 8% per year and it's hopeful the next generation of them will cost even less and have better energy density. However it's just a guess now. We'll really have to wait to see how this plays out.