Latest News: Battery Upgrade for BMW i3 (93Ah)

The 2017 models of BMW i3 series will come with a battery upgrade, featuring a larger 33kWh battery pack, which is expected to increase the driving range up to 183km. The model will be named as the new BMW i3 (93Ah). Although the battery capacity of Tesla Model 3 has not yet been announced, it seems like BMW i3 is definitely taking a risk by revealing the 33kWh capacity.

In the first quarter of 2016, the global sales of BMW i3 and i8 totaled only 5128 units, which is a 23% decrease compared to the same period in the previous year. According to the comments of customers who bought BMW i3 previously, they chose it over Tesla because of its relatively high price. However, with the release of Tesla Model 3, BMW i3 may face a greater threat as a significant amount of potential customers of BMW i3 may have already become Model 3 customers.

BMW i3 was first debuted as a concept car in September 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and the production version was introduced on July 29, 2013, simultaneously in Beijing, New York and London. In China, the retail prices range from 416,800 to 516,800 yuan, which is higher than the predicted price of Tesla Model 3 in China.

BMW i3 is equipped with a lithium-ion battery installed under the floor, and an integrated liquid cooling system is installed to maintain the optimum temperature of the battery. It takes 6 hours to charge with a standard power outlet, and 80% of the battery can be fully charged within 1 hour with the fast charging method.

According to recent media reports, several major executives of BMW i series have been poached by Future Mobility, a Chinese EV start-up invested by Tencent and Foxconn. However, considering the process-oriented management of traditional car manufacturers, the loss of a few executives should not pose significant harm. It is hoped that in the fully competitive market, the configuration of the models can be better upgraded for the benefit of consumers.

BMW i3 Production Process Video

You may also be interested in:I’ve summarized 12 tweets from Elon Musk to tell you everything you need to know about Tesla Model 3.

Latest exposure! Full production process of Tesla Model X!

Understanding the ambition of Tesla Model X from the falcon-wing doors.

2016 Beijing Auto Show Reveals | The comprehensive list of new energy vehicles exhibited.

A serious electric car enthusiasts’ WeChat account.

Keywords you might be interested in:

Tesla electric car, Google self-driving, Elon Musk, autonomous driving, BYD, battery, Apple.