Going Electric(For Two Years, Anyway)
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JHZR2
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Originally Posted By: Joseph_S37
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I love the concept of that car - the "range extended" concept is idiotic in terms of how it is sold to Americans to meet EPA designations. It is ingenious in that 35 MPH is more than fine to limp to a charger if needed. Better than a tesla which will leave you stranded.
35MPH can be very dangerous when you're on or need to be on a highway when the range extender kicks in.
The Chevy Volt on the other hand isn't as crippled when the battery runs out
Yeah but what happens when a $100k tesla runs out of charge?? What happens when a fuel tank empties. It seems like people turn into absolute imbecilic idiots with this car. Why I don't know. Because it has a relatively shorter electric range? This car isn't sold to be a long distance highway cruiser. Makes me wonder how stupid people can be if they run their battery down like that, so low.
Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I love the concept of that car - the "range extended" concept is idiotic in terms of how it is sold to Americans to meet EPA designations. It is ingenious in that 35 MPH is more than fine to limp to a charger if needed. Better than a tesla which will leave you stranded.
The 35 mph figure comes into play mostly on steep hills and such. I'm considering getting the car coded to European specs- which gets you another half gallon of available fuel, the ability to let the gas engine keep the battery charged at up to 75% of capacity, and the restoration of the AM radio band.
Yeah, this is what I was talking about WRT EPA rules that prevent engine operation. It is stupid that the engine comes on so low - this is an idea approach - optimized loading of a relatively small engine, to optimize its specific fuel consumption to be very high, and then allow the vehicle to run mostly electric. For a commuter desiring an electric car, this is an optimal approach (actually, keeping the battery at about 50% would be better IMO). Liquid fuel energy density is SOOOO Much higher than batteries that this is a very reasonable mode of operation - just not aligned to some law...
Originally Posted By: Patman
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I love the concept of that car - the "range extended" concept is idiotic in terms of how it is sold to Americans to meet EPA designations. It is ingenious in that 35 MPH is more than fine to limp to a charger if needed. Better than a tesla which will leave you stranded.
Because of the Tesla's huge range, and massive network of free charging stations, I feel like very few Tesla owners have been left stranded, unless they've really gone off the beaten path or completely haven't paid attention to how much range they have left.
An i3 isn't designed or intended to cruise a 300 mile barren stretch of Route 66 (then again, I wouldn't take a Tesla on that either). Point still remains - regardless of if you are driving an IC vehicle, a Tesla, or an i3, you need to keep an eye on your "fuel gauge", and be reasonably smart for how it operates near empty... At least there is some extra limp home capacity on the i3, as opposed to other EVs.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I love the concept of that car - the "range extended" concept is idiotic in terms of how it is sold to Americans to meet EPA designations. It is ingenious in that 35 MPH is more than fine to limp to a charger if needed. Better than a tesla which will leave you stranded.
35MPH can be very dangerous when you're on or need to be on a highway when the range extender kicks in.
The Chevy Volt on the other hand isn't as crippled when the battery runs out
Yeah but what happens when a $100k tesla runs out of charge?? What happens when a fuel tank empties. It seems like people turn into absolute imbecilic idiots with this car. Why I don't know. Because it has a relatively shorter electric range? This car isn't sold to be a long distance highway cruiser. Makes me wonder how stupid people can be if they run their battery down like that, so low.
Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I love the concept of that car - the "range extended" concept is idiotic in terms of how it is sold to Americans to meet EPA designations. It is ingenious in that 35 MPH is more than fine to limp to a charger if needed. Better than a tesla which will leave you stranded.
The 35 mph figure comes into play mostly on steep hills and such. I'm considering getting the car coded to European specs- which gets you another half gallon of available fuel, the ability to let the gas engine keep the battery charged at up to 75% of capacity, and the restoration of the AM radio band.
Yeah, this is what I was talking about WRT EPA rules that prevent engine operation. It is stupid that the engine comes on so low - this is an idea approach - optimized loading of a relatively small engine, to optimize its specific fuel consumption to be very high, and then allow the vehicle to run mostly electric. For a commuter desiring an electric car, this is an optimal approach (actually, keeping the battery at about 50% would be better IMO). Liquid fuel energy density is SOOOO Much higher than batteries that this is a very reasonable mode of operation - just not aligned to some law...
Originally Posted By: Patman
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I love the concept of that car - the "range extended" concept is idiotic in terms of how it is sold to Americans to meet EPA designations. It is ingenious in that 35 MPH is more than fine to limp to a charger if needed. Better than a tesla which will leave you stranded.
Because of the Tesla's huge range, and massive network of free charging stations, I feel like very few Tesla owners have been left stranded, unless they've really gone off the beaten path or completely haven't paid attention to how much range they have left.
An i3 isn't designed or intended to cruise a 300 mile barren stretch of Route 66 (then again, I wouldn't take a Tesla on that either). Point still remains - regardless of if you are driving an IC vehicle, a Tesla, or an i3, you need to keep an eye on your "fuel gauge", and be reasonably smart for how it operates near empty... At least there is some extra limp home capacity on the i3, as opposed to other EVs.
I like the drivetrain concept, but if they optimized the drivetrain to use the gas motor more often it could be a good rural driving car.
Wikipedia says its a 650cc motor out of the C600 Bmw scooter with 60hp. Even detuned for efficiency you would think it would be enough motor to charge the battery and maintain 60mph on level ground.
Wikipedia says its a 650cc motor out of the C600 Bmw scooter with 60hp. Even detuned for efficiency you would think it would be enough motor to charge the battery and maintain 60mph on level ground.
A coworker who's friendly with his local BMW dealer also got a range extended i3 on a cheap lease. His has been flashed so that the EG (engine-generator) will come on earlier so that trips from Portland to Seattle are possible without the speed loss normally associated with a low battery and EG operation.
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
I love those little cars!
Beware the range extender though. I have read reports that the car will struggle to do 35mph with the extender running.
Don't worry the reports you have heard are rubbish
The RE isn't even connected to the wheels
I love those little cars!
Beware the range extender though. I have read reports that the car will struggle to do 35mph with the extender running.
Don't worry the reports you have heard are rubbish
The RE isn't even connected to the wheels
Originally Posted By: Joseph_S37
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I love the concept of that car - the "range extended" concept is idiotic in terms of how it is sold to Americans to meet EPA designations. It is ingenious in that 35 MPH is more than fine to limp to a charger if needed. Better than a tesla which will leave you stranded.
35MPH can be very dangerous when you're on or need to be on a highway when the range extender kicks in.
The Chevy Volt on the other hand isn't as crippled when the battery runs out
The Range Extender is only connected to the Batteries and is merely a generator.
Why would it restrict the speed to 35mph?
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I love the concept of that car - the "range extended" concept is idiotic in terms of how it is sold to Americans to meet EPA designations. It is ingenious in that 35 MPH is more than fine to limp to a charger if needed. Better than a tesla which will leave you stranded.
35MPH can be very dangerous when you're on or need to be on a highway when the range extender kicks in.
The Chevy Volt on the other hand isn't as crippled when the battery runs out
The Range Extender is only connected to the Batteries and is merely a generator.
Why would it restrict the speed to 35mph?
Originally Posted By: Joshua_Skinner
A coworker who's friendly with his local BMW dealer also got a range extended i3 on a cheap lease. His has been flashed so that the EG (engine-generator) will come on earlier so that trips from Portland to Seattle are possible without the speed loss normally associated with a low battery and EG operation.
Yes- that's the Battery Hold feature. it allows the engine to maintain the electric power up to 75% of battery capacity. BMW disabled that feature and locked out one-half gallon of fuel so that the car could be sold as a pure electric car in California; to be clasified as a pure electric-according to C.A.R.B-the gas engine assisted range cannot exceed the pure electric range.
A coworker who's friendly with his local BMW dealer also got a range extended i3 on a cheap lease. His has been flashed so that the EG (engine-generator) will come on earlier so that trips from Portland to Seattle are possible without the speed loss normally associated with a low battery and EG operation.
Yes- that's the Battery Hold feature. it allows the engine to maintain the electric power up to 75% of battery capacity. BMW disabled that feature and locked out one-half gallon of fuel so that the car could be sold as a pure electric car in California; to be clasified as a pure electric-according to C.A.R.B-the gas engine assisted range cannot exceed the pure electric range.
Originally Posted By: Donald
When they can go 75 miles I might consider one.
The claimed range of the 94aH i3 is around 190miles with the Range Extender versiondoing 288miles on. Full charge and full tank of petrol.
When they can go 75 miles I might consider one.
The claimed range of the 94aH i3 is around 190miles with the Range Extender versiondoing 288miles on. Full charge and full tank of petrol.
Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: Brybo86
How much is ridiculously cheap??
$105 a month.
That's an insanely good deal. At full price though i3 is not worth it over the Nissan Leaf.
Originally Posted By: Brybo86
How much is ridiculously cheap??
$105 a month.
That's an insanely good deal. At full price though i3 is not worth it over the Nissan Leaf.
Originally Posted By: bigjl
Originally Posted By: Joseph_S37
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I love the concept of that car - the "range extended" concept is idiotic in terms of how it is sold to Americans to meet EPA designations. It is ingenious in that 35 MPH is more than fine to limp to a charger if needed. Better than a tesla which will leave you stranded.
35MPH can be very dangerous when you're on or need to be on a highway when the range extender kicks in.
The Chevy Volt on the other hand isn't as crippled when the battery runs out
The Range Extender is only connected to the Batteries and is merely a generator.
Why would it restrict the speed to 35mph?
With an empty batter and running the generator, the electric motor can't get more current than is being generated. In some situations this could limit the speed (heavy load, uphill, against the wind etc...) to 35 mph alledgedly.
Originally Posted By: Joseph_S37
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I love the concept of that car - the "range extended" concept is idiotic in terms of how it is sold to Americans to meet EPA designations. It is ingenious in that 35 MPH is more than fine to limp to a charger if needed. Better than a tesla which will leave you stranded.
35MPH can be very dangerous when you're on or need to be on a highway when the range extender kicks in.
The Chevy Volt on the other hand isn't as crippled when the battery runs out
The Range Extender is only connected to the Batteries and is merely a generator.
Why would it restrict the speed to 35mph?
With an empty batter and running the generator, the electric motor can't get more current than is being generated. In some situations this could limit the speed (heavy load, uphill, against the wind etc...) to 35 mph alledgedly.
How come he wanted to get rid of it?
Man, I would be all over that for $105 month...
Nice color combination too...
Nice color combination too...
Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Man, I would be all over that for $105 month...
Me too!
The I3 was the other finalist in my quest to come up with a new primary commuter for my 26 mile round-trip in Houston. I wanted the ability to also run the car on my monthly trips to Missouri (1,500 mile round trip) and I felt with that sort of duty cycle, the I3 Rex would get tedious.
If I knew the car would stay within 30 - 50 miles of home, the I3 would have likely won out.
Man, I would be all over that for $105 month...
Me too!
The I3 was the other finalist in my quest to come up with a new primary commuter for my 26 mile round-trip in Houston. I wanted the ability to also run the car on my monthly trips to Missouri (1,500 mile round trip) and I felt with that sort of duty cycle, the I3 Rex would get tedious.
If I knew the car would stay within 30 - 50 miles of home, the I3 would have likely won out.
I love electric cars, the incredible performance and the quiet. So, the following is just a joke.
How to charge your BMW with a Honda:
How to charge your BMW with a Honda:
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
Well, uh, nice looking generator ...
That's not bad for a $105/month lease - the local BMW/Mini dealer is leasing base model 320i or the regular Mini for $100.
I see a handful of these around my neck of the woods, while the Bay Area is Tesla/Prius land these do fine even with our terrain.
I see a handful of these around my neck of the woods, while the Bay Area is Tesla/Prius land these do fine even with our terrain.
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