BMW Concept ActiveE

• Looks like: Unmistakably 1 Series-esque
• Defining characteristics: Never-ending EV badges
• Ridiculous features: Illuminated charging port, what appear to be white leather seats asking for a coffee spill
• Chance of being mass produced: Good, if the EV craze takes off the way some are hoping

BMW has already put its toe in the water when it comes to electric vehicles with the Mini E, which it leased to 500 customers for a trial period. Now, the automaker will take an all-electric drivetrain and toss it into its 1 Series design, which it’s calling the BMW Concept ActiveE.

Debuting in 2011 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the ActiveE puts up similar numbers to a few other electric vehicles we’ve already heard so much about, such as the Nissan Leaf. The ActiveE’s lithium-ion battery will have a range of 100 miles per charge and a recharging time of 4.5 hours, BMW says. The difference, of course, is that BMW promises its premium driving experience along with that luxury feel. Judging from images of the interior, BMW doesn’t plan to let the ActiveE disappoint in that regard.

Like it did with the Mini E, BMW plans to conduct field tests with the ActiveE in North America and Europe next month to compile real world data before moving forward with full-fledged production. This is no doubt a way to see how the electric vehicle market develops over the next five years. If governments kick in with the proper support, infrastructure will follow, and — this is kind of important — luxury buyers will actually want to opt for a 1 Series ride that can go only 100 miles before you need to plug it in for 4.5 hours.

Interestingly, BMW says any electrically powered serial production vehicle based on the ActiveE will be marketed under a sub-brand of BMW sometime within the first half of the next decade.

Comments

Converting a 1 series to electric will result in a range of less than 100 miles, probably much less. It's a heavy car to start with and with batteries it will be a real porker, which means a short range. What a disappointment that such a high end builder of junk doesn't have the budget to design an electric car from scratch, free from the design constraints of the 1 series' ugly proportions. When it comes to spending your money, it's the ultimate driving machine, when it comes to spending BMW's money, a recycled piece of junk will pass as cutting edge.

please let these be avilable in other states than California. if BMW wants to get real opinions and true real world testing, then it should get people that live in a wider variety of landscapes than California, where it is the same weather the majority of the year

JM,
Exactly. I'd like to see the real world range in a Wisconsin winter.

This is the car that i want to buy
as it doesn't use gas as the fuel
so no pollution, and we can charge
it at our home also.

Autoblog reports that the Mini E is only getting 50 miles of range in winter weather, confirming my speculation above. I'm guessing this overweight pig will only get 30 to 40 miles on a full charge in winter weather.

Like your article very much!!!
Keep it up. nice cars!

rr