BMW's Electric Vehicle Progression: From 1602 Elektro to New Class
BMW's electrifying journey began in the early 1970s with the introduction of the BMW 1602 Electric, also known as the Elektro 1602. This vehicle marked BMW's first foray into all-electric vehicles, boasting a range of 44 miles.
Fast forward to the 1990s, and California's emissions requirements ratcheted up, forcing automakers to offer zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) that made up 2% of all vehicles sold statewide. In response, BMW unveiled the E1 and E2 concept cars, offering a theoretical range of 155 miles. However, these vehicles remained theoretical and were not near series production.
Meanwhile, BMW NA's Head of Product Planning and Strategy, Rich Brekus, oversaw the development of electric versions of the E36 3 Series in the early 2010s. Despite Brekus's assertion that these vehicles were terrible, BMW stuffed batteries into a number of E36 3 Series coupes to comply with the emissions requirements. These electric vehicles had a range of 27 miles, with a four-cylinder engine charging a sodium nickel chloride battery.
The Project i team, however, designed a more promising electric vehicle - the MINI E. Based on the Cooper model, the MINI E had 201 horsepower and an estimated range of 156 miles. This vehicle eventually evolved into the BMW i3.
The MINI E was available in five markets: Munich, Berlin (Germany), Los Angeles, New York City, and New Jersey. Approximately 1,000 ActiveE battery-powered 1 Series Coupes were produced, with 700 reaching the United States. The ActiveE addressed issues with cold weather performance experienced in the MINI E.
Customer feedback from electric MINI and BMW cars has contributed to the development of a diverse lineup of EVs. Today, BMW is set to debut the Neue Klasse on September 5, expanding its EV lineup further.
The BMW ActiveE played a significant role in shaping BMW's current electrified portfolio. Its development helped address the challenges of cold weather performance seen in earlier models like the MINI E.
In conclusion, BMW's journey into electrification began in the 1970s with the Elektro 1602 and has continued through various concept cars and production models. The MINI E and the BMW ActiveE were crucial stepping stones in this journey, leading to the development of the BMW i3 and the expanding lineup of electric vehicles from BMW.
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