BMW is shortly before BMW’s debut, which was probably his biggest step forward since the original new class in the 1960s. However, today’s new class mainly exists thanks to the existing pioneer -EVS. BMW was longer than most – and it shows. 60 years have passed since the emission regulations were introduced, and almost as many since BMW has introduced its first purely electric vehicle. The BMW 1602 Electric – or Elektro 1602 – set the brand on a path to eliminate emissions and examine the electrification.
BMW 1602 Electric: The first BMW eV
While it may have been the first BMW electric vehicle, the 1602 Elektro -Elektro was hardly indicated in the futuristic designs that would follow about sixty years later. The Elektro 1602 developed in the early 1970s was limited to just 44 miles. But that was more than enough for the electro 1602 to cross the Olympic marathon and speed walking event during the 1972 Olympics. Of course, this is only if you do not pay attention to the rumors that A specify A second Elektro 1602 took over the first when the marathon runner led through a tunnel.
Zero emission mandate: Electric BMW vehicles in the nineties
In California, the emission requirements were determined in 1990. The state asked the car manufacturers to offer ZEVS or zero emission vehicles that would have to make up 2% of all vehicles sold nationwide. The E1 and E2 concept cars came first and offered a theoretical range of 155 miles. Unfortunately, these cars were far from being production. So the company stuffed batteries in a bunch of E36 -3 series coupes. These E36s were not complete BEVS; A four-cylinder engine loaded a sodium-nickel chloride battery that enables it to drive over its electrical range of 27 miles. Then, head of product planning for BMW North America, Rich Brekus, there are no words. “The E36 electric vehicles were terrible.”
Interestingly, the E36 3 Series helped to pave the way for vehicles for partially zero and super ultra-low emissions, later Kamen-Pzevs or Sulevs. Brekus asked the question that everyone had think. “Karl-Heinz Ziwica was head of compliance, and I asked him whether it was possible to produce gasoline cars that contaminate the same amount of nox and hydrocarbons as the power plant that was used to produce the electricity.” It was “theoretically possible” and the car manufacturer met with the California supervisory authorities to continue to discuss. Ultimately, the California Air Resources Board BMW agreed. “[They] agreed to withdraw to the mandate of the electric vehicle if we sometimes build zero emissions vehicles that would set up a tenth of the US standards for pollution with zero evaporation emissions and a guarantee of ten years. “
Project I and lithium -ion batteries
As the electrified E36 and former 1602 Elektro showed, the range was a serious restriction for electric vehicles. That was until Lithium -ion batteries became popular and finally became an industry form. The project -i team was accused of creating a “megacity vehicle” that was only designed to address the residents of the world’s megacity -cities with 15 million or more people. The range was less worrying, but lithium-ion batteries were still selected to supply the megacity vehicle with electricity. Or, as it would be known, the mini E. its size, combined with the ability to record an interim drive drive by simply removing the rear seat, made the Cooper an obvious choice. With 201 hp on the barrel and an estimated range of 156 miles, it was a quantum leap according to the electrified vehicles of BMW of the past.
The mini e was also a big step in other areas. There were only five markets in the world. Two German cities, Munich and Berlin, and three US areas were able to experience the Mini E: Los Angeles, New York City and New Jersey. The markets were selected for their proximity to BMW North America Workshops. Traders have not yet been trained in high voltage. If necessary, “flying doctors” were also sent to dealers. Testing the electrical glass fleet in California also had other advantages. It brought BMW from North America ZEV -Credits and lowered the average fleet fuel consumption. After all, the mini e would become the BMW i3, but not before another EV came onto the market.
BMW Active moves the pole again
The mini e was a cool car. And in general the reception was warm. However, there were problems. Jim McDowell, then head of Mini USA, claims that the cars are “absolutely miserable” on cold days. “They had to come home between heat and home,” he says. Activeee, a battery-operated 1-series coupe, corrected it. The battery now had its own cooling system and even offered preliminary conditioning to maintain the health of the battery. Around 1,000 Active coupes made it through production. The car was an essential part of BMW’s electrified portfolio, which we know today.
With the customer feedback from Electric Mini and BMW Cars, the brand has produced a diverse series of EVS. The family will be even bigger with the new class on September 5thTH. You have to ask yourself whether someone who works on the Elecro 1602 could imagine today’s world in the world.
