Though it has been conspicuously absent from the growing pool of car companies offering electric vehicles (EVs), BMW is finally jumping into the game. Currently there are plans underway to product an entire line of super-efficient cars currently code named ‘Project i’. The Project i cars will include high efficiency clean diesel, hybrids, and of course EVs.
The first vehicle to come out of the series is a 3 door EV hatchback currently being referred to as the BMW City. The car is being specifically designed to meet California’s 2012 Zero-Emission-Vehicle mandate which will require large carmakers to sell ZEVs in California as a percentage of their overall total sales.
Though the details on the City are still extremely vague, the car, a four-seater, is expected to be slightly smaller than a Honda Fit. Styling will of course be ‘BMW-like’, with short overhangs, a wide track, and a low roofline. Its water-cooled lithium ion battery pack will give it a range of just over 100 miles per charge. No decision has been made as to whether the vehicle will carry the Mini or BMW brand.
The Good: A respected and sought after European carmaker is finally offering up a line of super-efficient vehicles which will include the EV “City”
The Bad: Details on the City are ‘detail-less’ at the moment, so no one knows for certain what the final product will be. The usual negatives accompanying hybrids (rare earth metals for batteries, shifted emissions, high embodied energy, etc.)
The Bottom-Line: With their reputation for style and quality, it will be interesting to see BMW’s take on high efficiency and electric vehicles.
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