BMW GOES TO THE PLUG

BMW gambles sporty image on electric cars
James R. Healy, April 18, 2011 (USA Today)

"BMW, gambling its image as a high-performance brand, will put 700 of its 170-hp ActiveE 1 Series coupes on the streets this fall with an all-electric drive that it says will satisfy sports car fans and also use no petroleum…BMW promised the ActiveE will be ‘100% electric and 100% BMW.’ And it will go about 100 miles on a charge, the automaker says.

"It is the start of a move toward electric power by the car company famous for its smooth, powerful gasoline engines and its crisp-handling sedans. If the test of the so-called ActiveE coupe is successful, BMW will follow with an electric 3 Series vehicle called i3 for production in 2013."

The ActiveE with battery on board (click to enlarge)

"User feedback from the test fleet will help BMW finish development and refine the bigger 3 Series sedan. It shows that BMW is adapting its lithium ion battery packs and electric motors to larger vehicles. The company’s first test was of a handful of electric Mini Coopers…

"BMW will lease 700 ActiveE’s to interested drivers in U.S. coastal cities this fall for 24 months at $499 per month, plus a $2,250 payment at the start of the lease…BMW says the ActiveE will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 9 seconds. That’s only about as quick as an average family sedan, but should feel brisk enough to suit many buyers…"