THE BMW ELECTRIC CARS.

A purely electric car (BEV, Battery Electric Vehicle) drives exclusively with electricity. It therefore has no combustion engine to power the vehicle. The electricity is stored in a battery. Its capacity determines the range of the e-car, in other words the distance that can be covered with one battery charge. Many drivers worry about the range – in most cases such worries are unfounded. After all, most BEVs today have a range of more than 250 kilometres. Purely electric cars are ideal for users who can charge electric cars at work or at home. At the same time, the extension of the public charging infrastructure is being pursued intensively. New charging stations are therefore appearing all the time in urban areas and along motorways. In the future, long-distance journeys will become easier and easier as a result.

An electric car offers an entirely new, emotionally charged driving sensation. Thanks to the torque available from a stand-still, you experience fascinating electric dynamics and spontaneous acceleration. At the same time, the almost silent electric engine gives you a new and relaxed driving experience. When actually driving, a BEV is also emission-free (the term also used is “locally”) and thus offers maximum protection for our environment.

A significant external factor that influences the performance and capacity of a battery is the temperature. You may have noticed the same thing with your mobile phone battery. Very cold temperatures can limit battery performance in particular. It is similar with your electric vehicle. However, our optimised performance strategies minimise the effect that temperature can have.
And did you know that the capacity of the battery also provides information about your remaining range? In addition to temperature, the range is influenced by other factors that affect how fast energy is consumed, such as the use of air conditioning, the current load, and your driving style.

If you ever need to recharge while away from home, your BMW electric vehicle will be preconditioned for the DC charging point* at your destination, which means the high-voltage battery is brought to the optimum operating temperature by the time you get there. This increases the maximum power while charging and reduces the amount of time you need.
* Only relevant for BMW electric vehicles.

As is the case for a vehicle with a conventional combustion system, driving style also affects the range of an electric car. As a general rule, an anticipatory, relaxed and consistent driving style optimises your range. If, for example, you reduce your speed on the motorway, you can noticeably increase your range as a result. During recuperation, that means whenever you lift your foot from the accelerator pedal, kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy and fed into the battery – and you gain further kilometres in range.

If you don’t plan to use your vehicle for a longer period of time, such as during a holiday, there are various ways to positively effect the lifespan of your battery. Whenever possible, maintain a charge of between 30 and 50 per cent and park your vehicle in a cool place or in the shade during summer months and keep it in a garage in the winter. In addition, the vehicle should not be plugged in for charging if you leave it parked for a long period of time.