All-electric BMW i3 gets a range booster

'Battery facelift' will enable BMW i3 to drive as much as 230km between charges, compared to 160km at present.

'Battery facelift' will enable BMW i3 to drive as much as 230km between charges, compared to 160km at present.

Published Jan 29, 2016

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Munich, Germany - BMW's stubby i3 is being treated to a battery-range booster which will allow it to travel further in all-electric mode

Germany's Autobild motoring gazette has reported that BMW would offer the updated i3 with a “battery facelift,” enabling the car to drive as much as 230km between charges, compared to 160km at present.

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The revamped i3 uses new lithium-ion battery technology and will reach BMW showrooms in the second half of 2016. Like most pure electric cars, the i3's popularity has been hampered by what customers see as limited range and the associated dead battery anxiety.

So far BMW has been coping with the issue by offering the i3 with a small optional range-extending petrol engine.

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