Good news, compact luxury EV buyers: America's third-best-selling electric vehicle, the BMW i3, might have a 120-mile range by this summer.
BMW is upgrading the battery pack in its i3 electric vehicle this summer, Automotive News reports. The improved system would provide a 50% increase in range. This would take the range from 81 miles to around 120.
That figure doesn't take into consideration the optional gasoline three-cylinder engine that can increase driving range by around 80 additional miles.
BMW is reportedly also planning a few other unannounced upgrades for its entry-level EV, which starts at $42,400 before tax incentives.
While 120 miles is great, especially compared to peppy compact EVs like the Fiat 500e or the sales juggernaut Nissan LEAF, it's a far cry from the range-anxiety-eliminating Chevy Bolt. That car, which was unveiled at CES earlier this month, boasts a 200-mile range for a mere $30,000 -- after tax incentives. And that's without any sort of gasoline-burning range-extender onboard.
Granted, though tech-savvy and accessible, the i3 easily takes the cake for cool-factor over the Bolt. I mean, i3 has open-pore wood on the dash that ages with the car -- never mind the floating screen and swoopy interior lines. Need I say more?
Regardless of its coolness, the i3's reported improved range signals that carmakers are seriously investing in battery electric vehicle technology.