Battery Options For The 2017 Bmw I3?

A Samsung employee shows of 1 of the novel 94Ah battery cells which I predict the 2017 i3 will boast

Ever since last Oct when BMW CEO Harold Krueger stated that the 2017 i3 would concord an increased electrical reach, at that abode'sec been speculation on how they would reach it. While BMW hasn't made whatsoever official announcements all the same, it'moment widely believed that BMW will alive using the novel Samsung 94Ah battery cells for the 2017 i3, which I start speculated here, back inwards November. 

The current i3 uses 96 Samsung 60Ah battery cells which are 3.75v ea. This adds upward to a total of 21.6kWh (96 10 lx 10 3.75= 21.half-dozen). The novel 94Ah cells are the same physical size inward improver to voltage as good as therefore an upgrade to these cells would mean BMW could purpose the same modules as practiced as battery tray, greatly reducing the cost as compared to engineering science all novel packaging for the novel cells. Therefore, the novel pack should increment from 21.6kWh to 33.8kWh (96 10 94 10 iii.75 = 33.viii). If the weight of the cells is the same, that should increment the BEV i3'sec arrive at from the existing 81 miles per accuse to or and so 125 miles per accuse together with the i3 REx'2d attain from 72 miles per accuse to proficient-nigh 112 MPC.

The battery pack of my i3 REx. It was removed to supercede a faulty battery heating chemic chemical element. 

So we know for certain that the 2017 i3 which begins production this summertime testament have increased create from improved battery cells, as good as we believe we've figured out which cells BMW testament be using. The next logical enquiry as well as and so is:  Will that alive the lonely battery available for the 2017 i3, or volition BMW as expert become on to offering the electrical current 60Ah cells as a lower toll battery pack selection? We tell the latter.

As a comparison Tesla has e'er offered different battery pack options for the Model due southward. That, along with directly sales too the Supercharger meshing been role of the material which has made the Model S as well as and then appealing to thus many people. But at that domicile is some other instance of an OEM offering battery size options which is an l-l amend comparing, inwards add-on to that'minute Nissan. Ever since the Nissan LEAF launched inward belatedly 2010, it had been fitted amongst a 24 kWh battery pack. Just past Fall Nissan added a 30kWh battery pack as an option. The entry level "S" model however has the 24kWh battery pack, only if yous wishing the higher flat SV or SL trims, yous also get the novel 30kWh battery pack. 

BMW could build something similar what Nissan did too continue to offering the 21.6kWh battery pack, precisely alone on a base of operations of operations i3, to offering a lower cost pick. Or they could make similar Tesla does together with just permit the customer to select the battery size they want similar whatsoever other option. This testament nonetheless motility dealers nuts because they'll correct away have got to stock 4 dissimilar i3'sec. Some dealers are already having difficulty deciding how many of each of the electrical electric electric current ii versions to stock, hence iv different versions of the i3 definitely won't brand their life whatever easier.  I am nonetheless, going to predict this is indeed what BMW does, also if I am right, hither'instant the 2017 i3 options that testament live available every bit early every scrap this September:

BEV with 21.6kWh battery together with 81mi electrical attain

REx with 21.6kWh battery, 72 mi electric reach & 74 mi additional gas hitting (39mpg 10 i.9gal)

BEV with 33.8kWh battery as good as 125 mi electric gain
REx amongst 33.8kWh battery, 112 mi electrical gain & 93 mi additional gas make it at (39mpg x ii.4gal)

Note the gasoline hit on the 33.8kWh i3 REx increased from 74 miles to 93 miles. That'sec because inward the United States of America of America of America, BMW reduced the full of gasoline available on the motorcar to 1.ix gallons, even though the  fuel tank is really ii.4 gallons. European customers agree had access to the total ii.iv gallons all along, together with will go along to exercise too and so. The reduced gas availability inwards the US was too hence the motorcar would live classified as a CARB (California Air Resource Board) BEVx vehicle, giving BMW the maximum amount of the valuable ZEV credits, too qualifying the i3 for additional ground rebates in improver to tax exemptions. However, with the larger battery together with longer all electrical reach, the i3 REx tin can correct away apply the entire ii.iv gallons as well as nonetheless bring BEVx designation, together with thus I meet no fence why BMW wouldn't withdraw the gas tank restriction besides manus access to the total ii.four gallons. That would increase the overall combined create of the i3 REx from its electrical electric current 142 mi to 205 mi. 

With the battery tray comprehend removed, yous lot tin can encounter the 8 distinct modules that create upward the i3'sec battery pack.
Each module contains twelve 60Ah Samsung battery cells. 

Of storey we're yet but speculating hither, too as we describe closer to the showtime of production for the 2017 model twelvemonth i3 BMW has been as tight lipped as e'er on novel or improved models. Perhaps the proclamation testament fall out side by side calendar calendar week at NYIAS, or BMW may expect until closer to the 2017 launch every fleck to non actually kill sales of the remaining 2016 i3 inventory. In whatsoever upshot, the improved create testament be a welcomed improvement for the i3, if non a necessary i. The novel 30kWh battery pack of the Nissan LEAF is lonely a temporary improvement, every flake it'sec been strongly rumored that the 2018 LEAF may have got a 60kWh battery. That, coincidently matches the 2017 Chevy Bolt'sec 60kWH battery pack, as good as that EV testament boast a 200 mile all electrical gain. Then, inwards 2018 the Tesla Model iii volition launch, together with offering a 200 mile reach for virtually $35,000. So I'k guessing the side yesteryear side i3 attain boost will bring to come upwards about inward 2018 as a 2019 model, possibly when the 2nd generation i3 is released. 

I'G sure BMW realizes they convey to continuously ameliorate the battery inward their EV'sec if they want to alive competitive inwards this space, as well as this LCI refresh for the i3 proves that BMW isn't going to sit down downward downwards idle together with permit the competition consume their electrons for luncheon. 

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