Aug 15, 2016 - 08:03 am

Karma Revero, Bayliner 175 with Tesla Power.

Reading tip I: The guys over at Wired got the chance to take the Karma Revero for a ride. Prototype no. 10 that had been shipped from Finland much looks like Fisker’s original, only this time it worked (better).
wired.com (with video)

Reading tip II: This all-electric speed boat utilises Tesla batteries taken from an electric B Class. EV enthusiast, Scott Masterson converted the Bayliner 175 himself and placed the batteries under the seat.
electrek.co (with video)

May 3, 2016 - 08:50 am

BMW i3, Tesla Model X.

Video tip I: In time for the announcement of the new and improved BMW i3, the Bavarian carmaker also released its new commercial. The message is clear. The new i3 offers lots of fun behind the wheel and enough range to not have to compromise in everyday life.
youtube.com

Video tip II: Edmunds really took a closer look at the Tesla Model X, presenting 32 neat and (partially) unique features, like adjustable ride height and doors that open automatically for the driver. It even shows you how to get the Mario Go Kart Rainbow Road displayed in Autopilot-mode.
youtube.com

Feb 23, 2016 - 09:26 am

Vietnam, BMW i3.

Reading tip: Vietnam warns its citizens of cheap EVs made in China that are sold over the internet, since their quality cannot be verified. People who are caught on the street driving one, risk a fine and confiscation of the car.
vietnamnews.vn

Life hack: Do you want to know how to keep the BMW i3’s charge port free from snow and ice in the winter? Here are some more or less creative ways to do just that.
bmwblog.com

Jan 27, 2016 - 09:14 am

Tesla, BMW i3.

Video tip I: Normally Tesla sits back and waits for its drivers to do the promo. In this case, the carmaker has published a promotional video showing off autopilot features and how they can be used.
youtube.com via geeky-gadgets.com

Video tip II: What do kids have to say about the BMW i3 and electric cars in general? This video of the Go Ultra Low EV Challenge has the answer. Spoiler alert: Cars with exhaust pipes make the world “really stinky.”
youtube.com via insideevs.com

Nov 13, 2015 - 08:35 am

The BMW i3 turns two.

BMW celebrates the i3’s 2nd birthday with positive news. 2,553 electric BMW were sold worldwide this October. In total, 23,133 units rolled off the lot this year already, almost 80 percent more than in the same period last year. This makes the BMW i3 the third most sold EV on the globe.
automotiveworld.com, press.bmwgroup.com

Nov 10, 2015 - 08:58 am

Formula E, BMW i3.

Video tip: In case you missed the second round of this season’s ePrix, here are all the electric highlights for the race in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Including a crash or two…
youtube.com

Reading tip: As the BMW i3 turns one, Chuck Vossler ponders how true the catchphrase “Born Electric” has become over the past 12 months, taking a detailed look at the all-electric vehicle. We say – happy birthday, i3. May there be electric siblings in your near future.
bmwblog.com

Nov 9, 2015 - 09:43 am

RAC survey, Irish ESB, ChargePoint, New York, BMW i3.

Charge preferred: 23 percent of 500 British firms questioned by RAC would prefer to pay a charge than to upgrade their fleet to operate in clean air zones. 27% already run fleets that comply, while 15% claim they would invest in EVs and HEVs to adhere to new standards. However, it all comes down to cost.
fleetnews.co.uk

Charge rejected: Irish ESB announced the end of free charging on the emerald island from January. New customers will be charged 16.99 euros a month to get unlimited access to low-speed charging points, but there will be an additional 30 cents per minute cost for fast charging.
irishtimes.com

Charge reviewed: Eric Cote scrutinised the ChargePoint Home station for a month and looked at installation (“extremely simple”), set up (“a breeze”), as well as use with his Chevy Volt and the app. The latter allows to set charging times manually or according to electricity rates.
chargedevs.com

Charging NYC: Aaron Dorman looks at charging stations in the state of New York, which counts the fifth most chargers in the country. However, these are disproportionately concentrated in the wealthier suburbs around the Big Apple. A highway programme started to enable longer distances.
timesunion.com

Safe bet: The BMW i3 proves popular with emergency fleets in Bavaria, Milan, Los Angeles, and London. The carmaker draws from existing expertise and equipment like flashing lights for roofs or sirens. In Poland, a new use was found for the compact EV, as it serves as cash transport.
transportevolved.com, automotiveworld.com (cash transport)

Nov 3, 2015 - 09:06 am

German fast-chargers, Italy, BMW i3, Fraunhofer ISE, Allego.

Details on German fast-chargers: The government revealed more information on the planned network of 400 rapid charging stations that will line the German Autobahn. All charge stops will be multi-standard (CCS, CHAdeMO, Level2) and have at least two reserved parking spaces. At hotspots, more charging stations will be available. Charging will be initially offered for free.
bundestag.de (in German)

Electric carsharing in Italy: Palermo has 24 Renault Zoe for hire that can be charged at one of 16 charging stations sponsored by utility Enel. The shared EVs can be found at five locations in Sicily’s capital with another three to be opened before the end of this year.
electriccarsreport.com

Fly and drive electrically: 50 BMW i3 are available at London’s City Airport as DriveNow strikes its first deal with a British aerodrome. it is said to be the largest electric carsharing fleet in the British capital.
evfleetworld.co.uk

Home integrated EV: Fraunhofer ISE created a home energy management system that integrates an electric car and its charging needs into a “Passive House” by scheduling i.e. charge times. It is part of the “Fellbach ZeroPlus” project of the “Electric Mobility Showcase” programme.
nanowerk.com

Completion: Berlin and Munich are officially linked as BMW, E.ON and Siemens completed the installation of eight DC fast-charging stations along the A9 motorway. Allego GmbH assumes commercial operation of the stations. Ten minutes of DC charging cost 3 euros, while AC charging costs 2 euros/30 minutes.
greencarcongress.com

Oct 23, 2015 - 08:39 am

Explicit content.

“Nuts and bolts versus watts and volts,” describes the narrator the drag race between a BMW i3 and a 2015 Polo GTI with a DSG gearbox in South Africa. Careful, it contains scenes that some e-mobility fans might find disturbing.
youtube.com via autoevolution.com

Oct 20, 2015 - 08:13 am

Morgan EV3, BMW i3 motor.

Video tip I: Robert Llewellyn welcomes a special guest in his Fully Charged show as he tests the electric Morgan EV3. This three-wheeled EV is surely not one to be rushed but one to be cherished, we learn, before Llewellyn offers his verdict: a trike such as this is “terrific.”
youtube.com

Video tip II: A motor at work, one from Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) to be precise, as this video shows the i3 drive in action. Most surprisingly might be the sound that is clearly audible – with an open rear – and reminiscent to an oversized dentist drill. It moves, too.
youtube.com

Sep 7, 2015 - 08:58 am

BMW i3, Tesla Model X.

Video tip I: BMW explains how “one pedal driving” works, how it helps maximize the i3’s energy efficiency and provides a more relaxed way of driving in heavy traffic versus the typical gas-brake-gas-brake dance.
youtube.com via insideevs.com

Video tip II: Two Tesla Model X are captured on tape as they exit a Supercharger station in California. Teslarati is certain that these are final production versions of the all-electric SUV.
teslarati.com

Jun 3, 2015 - 09:09 am

BMW, Germany, Peugeot, BMW i3, Acura, NEL, H2 Logic.

New 7 Series to be unveiled next week: No need to wait until the Frankfurt Motor Show, as BMW will take the wraps off its new 7-series on June 10th. BMW’s new flagship car is said to also become available as a plug-in hybrid called 740e. A teaser video has already been posted online.
bmwblog.com, caradvice.com.au, youtube.com (video)

German wake-up call: Hoping to increase sales of electric cars in Germany, 14 lawmakers from the ruling parties sent a letter to the country’s finance minister calling for subsidies for corporate purchasers of EVs, German paper Handelsblatt reports. And they might be successful: Coalition sources said that Chancellor Angela Merkel will back demands for a range of measures to support the EV market. In addition to the tax writedown, these may include more money to build up charging stations and for research and development — at a total cost of 3 billion euros. More details could be announced at a meeting of the German National Platform for Electric Mobility (NPE) in mid-June.
handelsblatt.com

New Peugeot goes British: The Peugeot Partner can now be ordered in the UK in all its variants, meaning also as a purely-electric vehicle. The Panel Van EV has a range of 106 miles and is especially suited for multi-drop businesses. Pricing for the electric version starts at 21,300 pounds (32,680 dollars).
commercialfleet.org

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www.frost.com

Silent rescuer: BMW will present the first i3 emergency vehicle at the “Interschutz” trade show in Hanover later this month. The fire command vehicle is obviously fitted with sirens and emergency lights, but will otherwise not make a sound.
autoevolution.com, bmwblog.com (photos)

Acura RLX Sport Hybrid hits U.S. market: Starting today, the 2016 model will be available at dealerships across the United States. The car has a three-motor hybrid system with a combined output of 377 hp and comes with a number of driving assistance features, such as a Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS) and Blind Spot Information (BSI).
puregreencars.com

NEL acquires H2 Logic: The Norwegian electrolyser company takes over Danish H2 Logic, a hydrogen refuelling station company. Through the acquisition, NEL aims to take a key role in the development of supply infrastructure for FCEVs.
newsweb.no

May 22, 2015 - 08:03 am

Tesla Model 3, BMW i3, Events.

Click tip I: Designer James Stumpf of Stumpf Studio draws his take on the Tesla Model 3 and accompanies his vision of the economy Tesla with the right ad. It may be conservative, but it is pretty utilitarian, too.
insideevs.com

Click tip II: Scott Lawrence Lawson‎, maker of the i3 Owners Map, delivers a heat map of i3 ownership in the U.S. Unsurprisingly, the Bavarian EV is hottest in urban areas on the West Coast with a few hubs along the East Coast as well.
insideevs.com

Next Events: FIA Formula E, Round 8 (May 23; Berlin, Germany) ++ Electric Mobility Canada (May 25-27; Halifax, Canada)

You can find a complete list of upcoming industry events at electrive.com/calendar

May 21, 2015 - 08:15 am

Farmer's electric fleet.

Most EVs are nowadays designed for urbanites. However, they can be used for almost anything. The BMW i3’s latest calling comes from New York City, where 20 i3 are used to count trees. And in Seoul, a fleet of five Renault Twizy is used to deliver Korea fried chicken. Don’t count your chickens, hug a tree!
electriccarsreport.com (New York),

May 8, 2015 - 08:11 am

Chevy Volt, BMW i3 tear-down, Events.

Reading tip: HybridCars’ Jeff Cobb points out “6 ways in which the Chevy Volt has been improved,” looking at changes to the motor, range, size and other features that will change in the next-gen Volt.
hybridcars.com

Video tip: Munro & Associates staged a complete “tear-down” of a BMW i3 electric car, looking at everything from battery pack to carbon construction. The firm disassembles new cars to sell on the information to competitors. The i3 “striptease” is available in a series of videos for free.
greencarreports.com (with videos)

Events for the upcoming week: eTourEurope (May 08-17; nine European countries) ++ FIA Formula E Championship, Round 7 (May 09; Monte Carlo, Monaco) ++ Swiss eSalon (May 11; Bern, Switzerland)

You can find a complete list of upcoming industry events at electrive.com/calendar

May 5, 2015 - 08:21 am

Tesla presentation, BMW i3.

Video tip: For those who cannot get enough of positive thinking for the future or for die-hard Elon Musk fans – here comes the full presentation of the new Tesla PowerPacks.
youtube.com

Reading tip: Nobody is perfect, and true love is loving the other with all of his or her little quirks. So we say happy anniversary to Pamela Thwaite (aka ElectraGirl) and her all-electric BMW i3!
transportevolved.com

Apr 17, 2015 - 08:24 am

Great idea.

Polish bank Idea has come up with a truly mobile banking service. Four BMW i3 have been converted into ATMs. Business customers can order them via app and pay in any cash left over from their dealings. We wish you a splendid weekend.
finextra.com; spidersweb.pl (in Polish)

Apr 16, 2015 - 08:20 am

EV disorientation.

The British Lib-Dems are having a hard time to decide on their EV policy. Once they want to ban all gas-guzzlers before then claiming EVs do not suit all family needs. Now their latest election spots shows a BMW i3. Wise choice one might think until the sound of a gas engine come in. Obviously overlaid and helplessly pathetic.
transportevolved.com (with video)

Apr 15, 2015 - 08:44 am

BMW i3 sales record.

A total of 2,067 BWM i3 were sold in March worldwide, setting a new sales record. A trend that is in line with the main brand as well. BMW also announced that the demand for its plug-in hybrid i8 sports car remains high, while no exact figures were made public.
theautochannel.com

Apr 10, 2015 - 09:00 am

Hiriko EV, BMW i3, Events.

Reading tip I: Spanish El País uncovers the truth behind the failure of the foldable EV Hiriko. Funded by both the Spanish and Basque government and praised by the EU, mismanagement and yet to be proven fraud ultimately led to the death of a project and the loss of 17 million euros of tax payers money.
elpais.com

Reading tip II: 18 months after its introduction in the States, the BMW i3 is selling well but not where it was expected to. Instead of urbanites like New Yorkers, sales figures reveal a buyers base outside the big cities. Why? Because no park, no charge!
transportevolved.com

Events for the upcoming week: Hanover Fair / MobiliTec (Apr 13-17; Hanover, Germany) ++ Energy Storage Seminar (Apr 15-17; College-Station, USA) ++ Webinar: Global passenger car powertrain and electric vehicle outlook (Apr 15)

You can find a complete list of upcoming industry events at electrive.com/calendar

Mar 27, 2015 - 09:43 am

Rare earth metals, BMW i3, Events.

Reading tip: It took researchers from Yale University five years to assess the “criticality” of all 62 metals on the Periodic Table of Elements. Rare earth metals could face supply shortages soon and thus require recycling urgently, the experts recommend.
news.yale.edu

Read & watch: Hannah Elliot test drove the BMW i3 in Manhattan and was not too pleased with the experience. Not only is she not a fan of deceleration but also grew weary of the seats. The “quirky” looks of the BMW i3 did not help either, no matter how efficient the EV might be.
bloomberg.com

Events for the upcoming week: New York International Auto Show (Apr 03-12; New York, USA) ++ FIA Formula E, Round 6 (Apr 04; Long Beach, USA)

You can find a complete list of upcoming industry events at electrive.com/calendar

Mar 27, 2015 - 09:41 am

Topsy-turvy.

Star Engines uses a BMW i8 to demonstrate its portable range extender JERR.E which in turn is powered by a petrol rotary engine. A more pleasant sight however, is a video in which a BMW i3 tows a stranded gas guzzler. We wish you a flawless weekend!
vrworld.com (range extender), youtube.com (electric tow car)

Mar 24, 2015 - 09:36 am

Chinese Copycat.

Once in a while in the far east, products arise which strongly resemble some in the west. The latest such copy is the Jinma JMW2200, a micro EV that looks a lot like BMW’s i3. It is smaller though, a lot less expensive and way slower. Latest when you get inside, any “danger” of a mix-up evaporates.
carnewschina.com

Mar 12, 2015 - 09:51 am

Tesla battery swapping, BMW i3 review.

Reading tip: Is Tesla’s battery swapping facility at Harris Ranch a sham designed to earn more of California’s ZEV credits rather than offering true value to Model S drivers? Get the details and the background of the story from Charles Fleming.
latimes.com

Video tip: Tom Voelk delivers a video review of the BMW i3 and calls it a “think tank” on wheels. Well, one that has made it from the world of ideas into reality.
nytimes.com

Feb 26, 2015 - 09:59 am

BMW i3 winter test, Apple.

Video tip: BMWBLOG took the BMW i3 for a winter test driving in icy -15 degrees Celsius weather, using a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 winter tires. A good choice, judging by the feedback.
youtube.com via insideevs.com

Reading tip: Bloomberg View columnist Katie Benner looks at recent Apple iCar rumours, at what we can expect and at what Apple needs to focus on in order for its projects to be a success. She believes the key lies in the battery technology.
bloombergview.com

Feb 2, 2015 - 09:35 am

BMW increases i3 price.

BMW announced a 1,075 dollar price increase for its all-electric i3 in the USA this year. The total price will therefore amount to 43,350 dollars. However, for this new edition, CCS fast-charging, heated seating and satellite radio will come standard.
autoblog.com

Jan 27, 2015 - 09:00 am

BMW i3 Super Bowl commercial, Energy Saving Trust.

Video tip: No need to wait for the Super Bowl to watch BMW’s newest commercial for the all-electric i3. The idea is that the car is much more than a “newfangled idea,” which is what a lot of people used to call the internet twenty years ago. And you see what happened with that…
youtube.com

Click tip: Via their new online platform, Energy Saving Trust is offering customized and free advice to companies investigating ultra-low emission vehicles. The goal is to help them understand where and how plug-in vehicles could work within their fleet.
pluginadvice.org.uk via fleetnews.co.uk

Jan 5, 2015 - 09:52 am

Germany, The Hague, BMW i3, Utilib, UK, Jejudo.

400 quick chargers for Germany: German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt has said to the regional newspaper Passauer Neue Presse thatfast charging stations will be installed along German motorways. Motorway services operator Tank & Rast GmbH is to equip all of its 400 sites with charging and parking spots by 2017. The German government will take over some of the costs.
reuters.com, pnp.de (in German)

Dutch charging up: The Hague plans to install another 1,000 charge points to increase the number of EVs on its roads. Currently, there are 300 charge points in the city which serve about 1,500 electric cars.
nltimes.nl

7+ kW charging rate for BMW i3: BMW is finally keeping its promise to American i3 owners as it now offers to replace (faulty) on-board chargers. Together with a software update, the move is to enable the initially advertised Level 2 maximum charging rate of 7.4 kW.
insideevs.com, bmwblog.com

Autolib expansion: Bolloré has issued a new variant of its rental EV in Paris. There, 100 new so-called Utilibs are to populate the streets. They come in bright red and with two seats instead of four, while taking a payload of 230 kg or 900 litres. Utilib will be in beta phase until the end of February.
insideevs.com, paris.fr (in French)

Bid for ULEVs: British cities are invited by the UK government to hand in proposals to increase EV use. A total of 35 million pounds (54m dollars) are up for grabs in the go ultra low city scheme. Up to four cities with the best proposals could get a share of the fund.
clickgreen.org.uk

E-mobility arrives on Jejudo: The first 15 Nissan Leaf have been delivered to the Korean island together with two quick charging stations. Jejudo will also host the International Electric Vehicle Expo this March where BYD will showcase its all-electric e6 model.
koreaherald.com (Nissan), koreaherald.com (BYD)

Jan 5, 2015 - 09:51 am

It's got the look.

A Norwegian EV enthusiast has tuned its BMW i3. At least from the outside it now looks as if it belongs to the high performance “M” sub-brand. The stripes here however, designate not high performance in terms of power but endurance, as this one year old EV already has 11,000 km on its odometer.
insideevs.com