Heavy Traffic Improves Range - 2014 BMW i3 Long-Term Road Test

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Heavy Traffic Improves Range - 2014 BMW i3 Long-Term Road Test

Not many cars return better performance when they're stuck in traffic, but our 2014 BMW i3 loves gridlock.

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mfennell

"With no brake regeneration going on, the battery level went down much quicker."

You used more battery in the morning because you were going faster, not because you had less regeneration. If, theoretically, you could have maintained the same (slow) average speed the previous evening rather than accelerating and decelerating, you would have used even less charge.

ahightower

I'd want a car like this if I had a miserable commute. At least the hypermiling game is something to pass the time. Still would prefer a Volt or plug-in Accord or Prius with an on-board gas engine to ease the range anxiety. Then it's not "Will I get stranded?", but "How long until the engine kicks on?"

tom_in_mn

ahightower said:

I'd want a car like this if I had a miserable commute. At least the hypermiling game is something to pass the time. Still would prefer a Volt or plug-in Accord or Prius with an on-board gas engine to ease the range anxiety. Then it's not "Will I get stranded?", but "How long until the engine kicks on?"

It has the range extender iirc.

jorocojaja

Kelly, this REx version has an EPA rating of 72mi before the gas generator comes on at 7ish% battery, and so, you are doing beautifully! Which mode did you travel to and from home in? If it was the standard Comfort mode, then I really commend you! Next time try ECO Pro in moving traffic and the PLUS mode in stop and go. You might be able to drive home, to work, and back home all on electricity : )

ndahi

Driving an EV takes practice to get the maximum range out of it. I have a Spark EV and it is rated at 82 miles from the EPA. I almost always get more than that, around 95 miles. One time in purely surface street driving I got 103 miles with 5 miles left on the indicator.