i3 Motor(s)

[Parker]

They have starting to build the i3 motors




And the extender........


http://www.hybridcars.com/kymco-will-reportedly-build-bmw-i3-range-extender/

Looks rather big to me.

 

[Northwestern]

Looks big to me; perhaps 100 lbs. of metal. Add the weight of the gas, gas tank, and hardware and you are lugging around the equivalent of another person every where you go? I think they should cut 2-6 kwh out of the battery pack. Even at 16 kwh I've calculated (allowing for range degradation over time) I would average 10% gas 90% ev mode. At 16 kwh the REx would be about the same initial price of the 22 kwh non-REx. Looked at another way they could easily produce 1) 28 kwh version 2) 16 kwh w/REx (same price as 28 kwh) 3) standard 22 kwh. Also, don't forget the Active Tourer hybrid w/20-mile EV range. The small 4-cyl. turbos offer impressive mileage, and I see the 180 hp diesel is making its way to the states. Thumbs up to BMW for providing a wide range of fun, fuel-efficient vehicles.

My objections to the 22 kwh version is 200-mile trips I make about 4 times a year. Realistically I would have to charge twice on this trip and as I've said in the past Risk Management 101 is you don't pull off the road in the dark and charge in unfamiliar settings.

Thanks for sharing, Parker!

 

[ChrisC]

Note that the picture above is of the ELECTRIC motor, not the gasoline range extender.

 

[Northwestern]

http://www.hybridcars.com/kymco-will-reportedly-build-bmw-i3-range-extender/

This is the engine I was referring to, the photo (not the link) is the electric motor. Perhaps they only need 1/2 of the 450 cc m/c engine above (if the left portion is the gear box, which a generator does not need), but certainly the REx will be over 100 pounds heavier than the standard? I think there is a market for 1) the Prius pi/C-Max Energi at 15-20 mi. ev 2) the Volt at 40 mi. ev 3) the i3/Leaf at 80-100 mi. ev 4) the Tesla at 265 mi. ev. 5) stuff in between the above. You ask 100 people and you might get 100 different preferences. My preference is for a Volt-like hybrid that goes 70 miles/charge out of the box. I like where this is heading (lots of choices, probably narrowed after some cars sit on the lot, some don't).