2017 BMW i3 94Ah REx Review | Giving Electric Mobility A Fighting Long-Range Chance
Without the support of government incentives and widespread charging infrastructure, electric vehicles have failed to ignite sales charts in Australia - a trend that’s likely to continue with petrol remaining relatively cheap and a pricing premium typically applied to EVs.
Then there’s that ever-present concern that an EV might leave you stranded on the roadside if it runs out of charge, or that long-distance trips are off the agenda. But with the BMW i3 REx - which carries a petrol-powered generator with it - that worry is reduced.
For 2017 the BMW i3 also arrives with a new larger battery, a 94 Amp hours (Ah) unit in place of the previous 60Ah version which is still on sale, resulting in a longer electric range and furthering the i3’s zero emissions potential.
Vehicle Style: Prestige small hatch
Price: $71,900 (plus on-roads) $80,880 (as tested)
Engine/trans: 125kW/250Nm electric motor, plus 0.6 litre 2cyl petrol | single-speed transmission
Fuel Economy Claimed: 12.9 kWh/100km, 0.6 l/100km | Tested: 13.8 kWh/100km, 0.43 l/100km
OVERVIEW
Having launched in Australia in 2014, the BMW i3 is still a fairly recent addition to the Australian new car market.
Initially offered as pure EV or range-extender models, both with a 60Ah battery the updated 2017 range includes those two original variants, plus a larger 94Ah battery version of each, promising additional usable touring range.