BMW I3 - Electric Revolution (Part 2)

To set off in the i3, you have to push the start button on the oversized stalk to the right of the steering wheel and twist its end piece to the D-position. The BMW does not creep forward at the release of the brake pedal as a conventional automatic vehicle would; it requires pressure on the accelerator to get going.

The i3 is exclusively aimed at city users and created a stir on Amsterdam's streets where the international launch took place.

The response of the electric motor is instantaneous and with 125 kW and 250 N.m on tap, the i3’s acceleration is brisk, despite its solitary fixed-gear ratio. Kinetic energy is recuperated through regenerative braking when the driver lifts their foot off the accelerator, and top speed is a claimed 150 km/h, which means that cruising at the national limit is effortless. This is not the vehicle’s forte, however, as the technology makes most sense in a city environment where i3 occupants enjoy their own quiet space in rush-hour traffic while the vehicle deals with every situation in a graceful manner.

In true BMW tradition, the steering is quite meaty, with excellent feel - yes, the i3 is still a driver’s car. The suspension setup is on the soft side to promote a comfortable ride but, surprisingly, the grip levels are much higher than I anticipated. The elevated driving position is quite MPV-like and gives the driver an excellent all-round view.

EVs tend to be harbingers of connected-car technology and the i3 is no exception. With a SIM card permanently in the vehicle, an owner simply has to download and install the i3 application on their smartphone to gain access to a menu of features. This includes remote state-of-charge monitoring, viewing historic driving performance, unlocking doors and even activating the horn. Other onboard functions include the abilities to search for the closest charging station, view your available range on a map and find modes of public transport.

The normal BMW infotainment system is housed in a floating central screen; iDrive controller and system are easier to use than ever; the Drive Selector is an all-new, chunky stalk to the right of the steering wheel.

There are various charging options available to i3 owners: a normal household wall socket that offers a charging time of around eight hours; a dedicated home-based system that utilizes three-phase electricity and can charge the battery in three to five hours (depending on charger specification); and a dedicated 50 kW DC public charge point (developed by BMW) that is said to be capable of loading the i3’s pack fully in less than 30 minutes.

South Africa will receive a limited number of i3s towards the end of next year and BMW’s first series EV should retail at just under the R500 000 mark. Yes, it is expensive, but the cost of powering the vehicle is around a fifth of an equivalent petrol car. Having experienced the technology first hand, I believe the i3 would make a near-ideal city or commuting vehicle, even in South Africa where there are no government incentives to lower the purchase price and a lack of public charging infrastructure (but most households that can afford the vehicle should have a garage with a power socket). The question is: are you willing to join the revolution?