i3 HV Battery Upgrade

[AgentiMi]

(This is a repost from the i3 Reddit page.)

I work for a stationary energy storage company and I need an excuse to develop i3 batteries.

I wanna know just how many of you would actually buy an upgraded battery.... they are pricy... almost as much as 2 used i3s.

Here's what you will get IF we make this product:

-10-year capacity warranty.

-Increased range.

-Increased power output of the pack for modified applications.

-Faster DC charging, from 40kW to 250kW peak.

-Battery condition on climatize.

-We'll offer installation and financing.

The modules are already developed for our large stationary storage systems (300kWh+) an example application is DCFC stations. We are playing with the idea to put these packs in classic cars and it hit me. Why not the i3? or any EV.

I've made a list of possible configurations below, please vote if you would actually buy one if it was offered.

Side note. You will also need different springs and dampers in some applications, good luck.

-------------------

Cost values are for the battery pack only.

Range values are estimates in COMFORT mode driving.

kWh values indicate total usable energy and do NOT include battery buffer.

We are not asking for money. This is just to show you how much a battery pack will cost.

**** may require a different battery tray, adding to the cost.

-------------------


Here are the possible configurations listed below.

~80 miles (129km) 19kWh $6K (50kW DCFC)

~120 miles (193km) 30kWh $9.8K (70kW DCFC)

~160 miles (257km) 40kWh $13K (100kW DCFC)

~260 miles (257km) 69kWh $21.3K (150kW DCFC)

****~320 miles (515km) 90kWh $24.5K (250kW DCFC)

--------------------

I'm happy to answer questions!

We're also hiring for more engineering positions soon. Maryland and remote. I'll post about it.

 

[djbrh]

I would definitely do this. Which one, I’m not sure.

My car is a 2014 with 62k on it that I bought used a few months ago. I got it pretty cheap, but it wasn’t well taken care of and was a low option model. It was dealer serviced and taken care of in that respect, and the kappa is still very good on it. I’ve upgraded things like CarPlay (MMI), 10.25” display, coding, etc.

I love the car. A lot. I would probably pick the 40KWh option, but it’s hard to be sure. I think the higher options are neat, but my guess is few would pull THAT trigger. Hard to say.

A question: does the price include me getting to keep my old battery, or does it include YOU keeping it?

And it’s so intriguing that if you need a beta tester, well, I’d bring my car to MD and drop it off for you. For some kind of reasonable incentive, anyway.


—Donnie

 

[i3sDan]

With current trends I would go for 69kWh or 90kWh
My question would be only the price for my old battery. Now I a 94Ah (30kWh) pack and upgrade to 120Ah (40kWh) cost ±€5.0K but they take my old battery for reuse in different needs (home backup energy storage).

Would you also offer an upgrade or your price includes the price for my old battery?

I would also go just for an DCFC upgrade as well, this sounds like an attractive option

 

[eXodus]

I'm perfectly happy with my 94ah - 30kwh battery size.

Yet, if I would need to upgrade at some point in the future - I would definitely want to go larger then that - 50-60kwh

The 69kwh sounds kind of pricy. I can get a 2019 120ah (44kwh) full car for that price.

 

[alohart]

Unless energy density increases considerably, the weight of the larger battery packs would be an issue. Stronger springs and appropriate shocks aren't accessories that are available for an i3. Tires with a greater load capacity might also be needed and which might be difficult to find.

The i3's battery pack cooling system is designed to remove only so much heat. A larger capacity battery pack would likely generate more heat. Without the cooling system being upgraded (expensive!), could overheating be a problem in hot climates?

Also, the battery cell chemistry best for storage isn't best for EV use. I'm pretty sure that Tesla uses different battery chemistry for its storage products compared with its vehicles. So I wouldn't necessarily want storage modules used in an i3 battery pack upgrade. Maybe different cells would be used in these battery pack upgrades.

I hope that more 3rd-party battery pack builders start producing replacement packs for the i3 and other EV's as has happened with some gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles. However, the engineering challenges are significant. If these aren't handled well, a 3rd-party pack could be disappointing.

 

[eXodus]

Unless energy density increases considerably, the weight of the larger battery packs would be an issue. Stronger springs and appropriate shocks aren't accessories that are available for an i3. Tires with a greater load capacity might also be needed and which might be difficult to find.

The i3's battery pack cooling system is designed to remove only so much heat. A larger capacity battery pack would likely generate more heat. Without the cooling system being upgraded (expensive!), could overheating be a problem in hot climates?

I hope that more 3rd-party battery pack builders start producing replacement packs for the i3 and other EV's as has happened with some gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles. However, the engineering challenges are significant. If these aren't handled well, a 3rd-party pack could be disappointing.

Energy density in LIPO4 already increased drastically per kg. Newer battery chemistries are more efficient - thus they do not heat up as much.
The 120AH battery has already a different cooling tray then the 94ah version.

I can get 18650 cells with almost double the energy then I got 5 years ago - at the same weight.
Even if the car would be 100-200lbs heavier - that's nothing the suspension shouldn't be able to handle. It's like driving around with a passenger all day.

You have to think - a car manufacturer designs it that 4 grown adults + luggage could drive in the car every day.
If you are not doing that - a little few more points should be ok with the current suspension.

 

[AgentiMi]

I would definitely do this. Which one, I’m not sure.

My car is a 2014 with 62k on it that I bought used a few months ago. I got it pretty cheap, but it wasn’t well taken care of and was a low option model. It was dealer serviced and taken care of in that respect, and the kappa is still very good on it. I’ve upgraded things like CarPlay (MMI), 10.25” display, coding, etc.

I love the car. A lot. I would probably pick the 40KWh option, but it’s hard to be sure. I think the higher options are neat, but my guess is few would pull THAT trigger. Hard to say.

A question: does the price include me getting to keep my old battery, or does it include YOU keeping it?

And it’s so intriguing that if you need a beta tester, well, I’d bring my car to MD and drop it off for you. For some kind of reasonable incentive, anyway.


—Donnie

The prices I've quoted include manufacturing and material costs. If you decide to sell your pack then we'll deduct that cost from the new packs. Also, the range numbers are also estimates. We still have to pick a range and focus on just one pack to build for the i3.

That would be awesome. I'm first in line to test the packs ;D, then we'll release betas, given that we make good progress. For now, we're just building out the factory.

 

[AgentiMi]

Unless energy density increases considerably, the weight of the larger battery packs would be an issue. Stronger springs and appropriate shocks aren't accessories that are available for an i3. Tires with a greater load capacity might also be needed and which might be difficult to find.

The i3's battery pack cooling system is designed to remove only so much heat. A larger capacity battery pack would likely generate more heat. Without the cooling system being upgraded (expensive!), could overheating be a problem in hot climates?

Also, the battery cell chemistry best for storage isn't best for EV use. I'm pretty sure that Tesla uses different battery chemistry for its storage products compared with its vehicles. So I wouldn't necessarily want storage modules used in an i3 battery pack upgrade. Maybe different cells would be used in these battery pack upgrades.

I hope that more 3rd-party battery pack builders start producing replacement packs for the i3 and other EV's as has happened with some gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles. However, the engineering challenges are significant. If these aren't handled well, a 3rd-party pack could be disappointing.

Cell density has already increased significantly since the i3 came to market. We also extract way more energy out of the battery (less internal resistance), less energy will be lost to heat with.... special.... cells. that's as much as I'm willing to say ;D. So don't worry about weight differences.

We're fully aware of the chemistry and cooling differences. We're going to be using appropriate cell chemistry paired with a new thermal management system to provide the best experience. Don't worry at all about the characteristics of these packs, I personally won't allow it to be made if it's at least not better than the original BMW packs. I'm fully committed to keeping development costs out of the equation to keep the cost down for the customer.

 

[AgentiMi]

I'm perfectly happy with my 94ah - 30kwh battery size.

Yet, if I would need to upgrade at some point in the future - I would definitely want to go larger then that - 50-60kwh

The 69kwh sounds kind of pricy. I can get a 2019 120ah (44kwh) full car for that price.

There will be enough incentives for you to upgrade to make it well worth it over trading in your car.

 

[AgentiMi]

Unless energy density increases considerably, the weight of the larger battery packs would be an issue. Stronger springs and appropriate shocks aren't accessories that are available for an i3. Tires with a greater load capacity might also be needed and which might be difficult to find.

The i3's battery pack cooling system is designed to remove only so much heat. A larger capacity battery pack would likely generate more heat. Without the cooling system being upgraded (expensive!), could overheating be a problem in hot climates?

I hope that more 3rd-party battery pack builders start producing replacement packs for the i3 and other EV's as has happened with some gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles. However, the engineering challenges are significant. If these aren't handled well, a 3rd-party pack could be disappointing.

Energy density in LIPO4 already increased drastically per kg. Newer battery chemistries are more efficient - thus they do not heat up as much.
The 120AH battery has already a different cooling tray then the 94ah version.

I can get 18650 cells with almost double the energy then I got 5 years ago - at the same weight.
Even if the car would be 100-200lbs heavier - that's nothing the suspension shouldn't be able to handle. It's like driving around with a passenger all day.

You have to think - a car manufacturer designs it that 4 grown adults + luggage could drive in the car every day.
If you are not doing that - a little few more points should be ok with the current suspension.

The new packs will have a nearly identical mass compared to the older packs. Chemistry is much better. Lower internal resistance. Active balance BMS. No 18650s, these cells are much bigger, still cylinders though, wink... wink.

 

[jer]

I would buy the 40kWh upgrade. Thanks!!!!

 

[flyboy320]

What country/location is this located in?

 

[Star63]

I'm interested in 40 kWh battery. But since Finland is quite far away from Maryland, this may not be feasible.
How does your chemistry differ from SDI in terms of degradation when driven and charged in -15 (Celsius) temperatures during winter months?

 

[AgentiMi]

What country/location is this located in?

We are located in USA east coast.

 

[AgentiMi]

I'm interested in 40 kWh battery. But since Finland is quite far away from Maryland, this may not be feasible.
How does your chemistry differ from SDI in terms of degradation when driven and charged in -15 (Celsius) temperatures during winter months?

We will defiantly have this pack available to European customers along with the old pack trade-in.
We have also improved on the original BMW thermal management system. It should now provide a much more consistent driving experience, even in very cold climates.

 

[user 4543]

This all sounds very positive!

I'm in the UK and am definitely interested in the 69kWh upgrade, for my 2016 i3 REX (36000 miles so far)
If removal of the range extender was a possibility, I'd like that too, as the new battery would largely make it redundant.

Chris

 

[AgentiMi]

This all sounds very positive!

I'm in the UK and am definitely interested in the 69kWh upgrade, for my 2016 i3 REX (36000 miles so far)
If removal of the range extender was a possibility, I'd like that too, as the new battery would largely make it redundant.

Chris

I would also like to offer that alongside pack upgrade if feasible.

 

[djbrh]

Before I bought my i3 I thought “man, the Rex is awesome and is perfect for this kind of use” and after I bought my Rex-i3 I’m like “man, that Rex is dumb and I hate it because I’m constantly worried about whether I run it often enough to keep it from breaking and I really wish I could remove it.”

Yeah, if it didn’t cost much to remove it along with a battery upgrade, I’d do it.


—Donnie

 

[eXodus]

Before I bought my i3 I thought “man, the Rex is awesome and is perfect for this kind of use” and after I bought my Rex-i3 I’m like “man, that Rex is dumb and I hate it because I’m constantly worried about whether I run it often enough to keep it from breaking and I really wish I could remove it.”

Lol one of the reasons I got a BEV. I keep a old $2000 Van in my Driveway - that is my REX. I drive it once a month - Chevy V8 - will probably hold forever

BMW i3 BEV + cheap ICE vehicle = more cost effective + more versatile then only a i3 REX.

Sure not everybody has the space for two vehicles.

 

[paytonc]

I'd be in the market for a 40 kWh once my battery warranty's up. At these prices, local data centers might be interested, too!