Thought I would share my BMW i3 experience.
Making a big move from Houston to Austin (160+ mile trip). My beloved 2014 2-year owned Leaf wouldn't make the trip without stopping at RV Parks to charge for 4+ hours (or getting it hauled for several hundred dollars). Instead of having it hauled, I found a used just-off-lease 2015 BMW i3 with REx for a fair(ish) price and traded the LEAF in.
I was able to buy it, and code it using BimmerCode on the same day before heading out (enlarge the tank, re-add hold @ 75%). After topping up at an EVgo, and flipping on the REx at 75%, it was a smooth + comfortable drive from Houston to Austin with several gassy fill-ups along the way at ~70-75mph. Ended the 160 miles with 46% or so charge.
Random thoughts on the i3 after being a long-term daily-driver of a Leaf:
* The REx is amazing and makes the car stand out in the EV market while making sure it remains a "real" EV.
* Had issues with the car refusing to open the fuel tank at the 50% mark... had to pull the manual release a few times.
* Hold at 75% was *essential* to a smooth trip between Austin and Houston (there are 0 EVSE's in-between)
I completely love my i3, while I never had range anxiety in the Leaf, you still had to carefully balance your expectations of distance. The i3 gives you all the pure-EV benefits while giving you the realistic occasional long-trip.
I do think BMW shot themselves in the foot handicapping the i3 by disabling the REx hold and artificially reducing the tank size.
I know they did it to preserve their all-electric tax credits, but I would have been a *lot* less comfortable with only 6% battery and limited power at 3%... the coding was essential to a stress-free trip.
Making a big move from Houston to Austin (160+ mile trip). My beloved 2014 2-year owned Leaf wouldn't make the trip without stopping at RV Parks to charge for 4+ hours (or getting it hauled for several hundred dollars). Instead of having it hauled, I found a used just-off-lease 2015 BMW i3 with REx for a fair(ish) price and traded the LEAF in.
I was able to buy it, and code it using BimmerCode on the same day before heading out (enlarge the tank, re-add hold @ 75%). After topping up at an EVgo, and flipping on the REx at 75%, it was a smooth + comfortable drive from Houston to Austin with several gassy fill-ups along the way at ~70-75mph. Ended the 160 miles with 46% or so charge.
Random thoughts on the i3 after being a long-term daily-driver of a Leaf:
* The REx is amazing and makes the car stand out in the EV market while making sure it remains a "real" EV.
* Had issues with the car refusing to open the fuel tank at the 50% mark... had to pull the manual release a few times.
* Hold at 75% was *essential* to a smooth trip between Austin and Houston (there are 0 EVSE's in-between)
I completely love my i3, while I never had range anxiety in the Leaf, you still had to carefully balance your expectations of distance. The i3 gives you all the pure-EV benefits while giving you the realistic occasional long-trip.
I do think BMW shot themselves in the foot handicapping the i3 by disabling the REx hold and artificially reducing the tank size.
I know they did it to preserve their all-electric tax credits, but I would have been a *lot* less comfortable with only 6% battery and limited power at 3%... the coding was essential to a stress-free trip.