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When the revised, 2017 BMW i3 electric vehicle ships this fall, its range jumps from 81 miles to 114 miles. The carbon fiber Bimmer is using a denser, more productive lithium-ion battery rated at 33 kWh, upwardly from 22 kWh. It's starting to expect similar 100 miles is the minimum adequate range for new or revised electric-but vehicles going forward. That's if they don't go 200-plus miles of range. The days of EVs getting 80 miles of EPA-rated range on a adieu are coming to a close.

The 2018 Nissan Leaf aircraft in 2017 is expected to spring from 84 miles range to more than 200. The Tesla Model 3, with an appear late-2017 delivery, is projected at 215 miles. Similarly, plug-in hybrids such equally the 2017 Chevrolet Volt are increasing their range on battery to more than than 50 miles before the combustion engine kicks in.

2017 BMW i3

fifty% more power in the same under-floor space

2017 BMW i3

Co-ordinate to BMW, the dimensions of the battery pack remain unchanged, but information technology's now putting out half-over again every bit many kilowatt hours as the initial i3. It is rated at 94 Ah (maximum depict). BMW says, "Even in everyday conditions, the new Bombardment Electric BMW i3, in varying weather weather and with the air workout or heating turned on, a range of up to 114 miles combined (hwy/city) is possible as shown by independent BMW testing cycles." Using the EPA's ratings, the current 81-mile i3 is rated at 137 MPGe (137 MPGe urban center, 111 MPG3 highway), equal to consuming 27 kWh of electricity over 100 miles, or about $three worth of electricity.

BMW is besides unique in offer a tiny 2-cylinder range extender (Rex) gasoline engine addition to the i3, with a 25% larger 2.iv-gallon gasoline tank that kicks in when the battery drops to vi.5% of charge. BMW says the range-extender i3 is meant to do only that — extend your range — and not be a long-distance propulsion source as on the Chevrolet Volt. Based on the electric current model'due south 39 mpg gasoline rating, the combination would provide about 166 miles of range, based on an added 94 miles on gasoline plus 72 miles (non 81) on battery with the REx version that weighs nearly 300 pounds more.

BMW said the price will exist set closer to production launch in the fall. The current i3 is $43,395 (including $995 freight), while the i3 Range Extender adds $3,850. BMW besides said the bombardment can be removed and replaced by a dealer, but it's not meant to exist a quick-swap power module. It will be interesting to run into if owners top BMW's range projections. With the bombardment packing 50% more free energy, simple math suggests the automobile would be capable of at least 122 miles.

The 2014 Nissan LEAF is available in three trim levels: LEAF S, SV and SL, along with option packages offering advanced systems such as Around View® Monitor and 7-speaker Bose® audio. Enhancements for 2014 include the addition of the RearView Monitor as standard equipment on all models (previously part of the Charge Package) and one new exterior color – Gun Metallic (seven total available colors).

Where the EV contest stands

2016_e-golf_5254About 120,000 electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids were sold in the US in 2015, led by the Tesla Model S with more than than 25,000 sales. It gets 240-294 miles per charge, far better than whatever other EV currently sold, only it also costs twice every bit much as the other EVs. The Nissan Leaf (photograph above) was second with 17,269 sales and its range was 84 miles pre-2016, 107 miles for the 2016 model, and a projected 200-plus miles for the 2018 model. The Chevrolet Volt PHEV was tertiary with 15,393 sales, the BMW i3 fourth with 11,024, and the Ford fusion Energi PHEV fifth with 9,750.

The electric-only Fiat 500e, seventh overall in EV/PHEV sales, is rated at 87 miles of range. The Volkswagen e-Golf game (photo inset), eighth overall, is rated at 83 miles. The Chevrolet Spark EV, tenth overall, has a rated range of 82 miles.

The EV-simply 2017 Chevrolet Bolt, due at the cease of this year, targets 200-plus miles of range. Ford plans a Model Eastward (likely proper noun) EV with a 200-mile range later this decade.

The challenge for EVs with ranges effectually lxxx miles is that there'due south less leeway if something goes wrong: a detour, waiting in traffic with the heater or ac on, plus wanting to take x-xx miles of range in reserve. The limit of an out-and-back trip might restrict the car to a radius of 25 miles.

It will be interesting to see if producers of electric vehicles create two variants of their EVs: one with a range of around 100 miles and a 2nd, costlier, version with a range of 200-plus miles. Information technology'southward possible there will exist few, if any, takers for the 100-mile variants. Automakers say range anxiety is overblown, merely buyers even so aren't sure. When the i3 first shipped, BMW said the lighter, nimbler EV-only i3 made more than sense, and that anticipated sales of the EV and King versions would be as divide. Now sales are running 80-20 in favor of the range-extender i3. Even every bit BMW tops 100 miles of range, it may feel heat from the 200-mile EVs.

With the 215-mile Tesla Model iii slated to listing at near $35,000, a 100-mile, electric-only competitor vehicle would have to sell for at least $7,500 less — possibly $10,000 less — to garner much marketplace share.