BMW’s 2013 plug-in vehicles set for launch
The BMW i8 plug-in hybrid
BMW i “born electric”
BMW has updated its plans for electrification by announcing the formation of the BMW i sub brand, as well as updated names for the first two plug-ins to be sold under the i brand.
Nothing really new in this report, but at least we know the names of BMW’s first plug-ins. Read more…
Categories: BMW EfficientDynamics plug-in hybrid, BMW Megacity electric car, Plug-in Vehicles, electric cars, plug-in hybrid cars Tags: BMW EfficientDynamics, BMW i3, BMW i8, BMW Megacity electric car, electric cars, plug-in hybrids
$200,000 for a taste of BMW’s electric future
It's more than just a super hybrid
Carbon fiber and batteries
Alright, a $200,000 BMW plug-in hybrid? Who cares, right, even if it is a hybrid, even one with a plug?
I don’t, but I do find BMW’s electrification ideas interesting. Thus, let’s just think of this $200,000 – according to Straightline – BMW EfficientDynamics plug-in hybrid as a marketing tool for cars like BMW’s upcoming, much cheaper Megacity plug-in. Read more…
Categories: BMW EfficientDynamics plug-in hybrid, Plug-in Vehicles, plug-in hybrid cars Tags: bmw, BMW EfficientDynamics, BMW Megacity electric car, plug-in hybrids
Carbon fiber key to BMW plug-ins
Carbon fiber strengthens BMW's future
Rebuilding the car from the ground up
When the 2013 BMW Megacity plug-in vehicle goes on sale it won’t just be new to the market place, it’ll be an entirely brand new car, designed completely from scratch – except for the lithium-ion cells in the battery pack – from the ground up.
And, while such an approach means it will take longer for BMW to return a profit on its investment, it could be the key differentiator between BMW plug-in success and the rest of the auto industry. Just as interesting, the Megacity’s ground breaking approach will be driven by carbon fiber. Read more…
Categories: BMW Megacity electric car, MIsc., Plug-in Vehicles, electric cars Tags: BMW Megacity electric car, carbon fiber
Carbon fiber, safety and fuel efficiency
A key to fuel economy?
The strength of carbon fiber
These days any conversation regarding fuel economy, oil dependence, etc. ultimately seems to always resolve to batteries. Yet, the research on batteries seems to indicate that if the battery is the future of the auto industry, the world has many decades before that future fully unfolds.
Consequently, is it not fair to ask whether there is too much focus on the battery, particularly in the short term? For instance, could something like carbon-fiber also be a game changer? Read more…
Categories: BMW Megacity electric car, Energy Independence, Fuel Economy, Hybrid Cars, MIsc., Plug-in Vehicles, Tax Incentives, auto-drive software, electric cars, lithium batteries, plug-in hybrid cars, safety Tags: BMW Megacity electric car, carbon fiber, Fuel economy
BMW’s new mold for the auto industry
30 percent lighter than aluminum
Lightening the plug-in load
Despite massive obstacles against plugging in the future of the auto industry, the electrification of a significant chunk of the automotive future seems inevitable. Yet, the success of the plug might be dependent upon more than just cheaper, smaller and more powerful batteries.
Instead, a significant reduction in vehicle weight might be the key to plug-in cost-effectiveness, and that makes BMW’s Megacity Car Concept – planned for a 2013 launch – an interesting body of work. Read more…
Categories: BMW Megacity electric car, MIsc., Plug-in Vehicles, electric cars, plug-in hybrid cars Tags: BMW Megacity electric car, electric cars
Carbon-fiber Megacity EV intrigues
The Megacity electric car
Nice carbon fiber
Electric cars have a long way to go before becoming mainstream. One of the biggest problems is battery size. However, if cars could be made lighter, smaller battery packs become possible, and that’s what makes BMW’s Megacity electric car very interesting.
Categories: BMW Megacity electric car, Plug-in Vehicles, electric cars Tags: bmw, BMW Megacity electric car, carbon fiber, electric cars
