Rex does not charge battery

[i3burlington]

Not sure if this is correct or not but according to BMW tech info, the REx only powers the motor and does not charge the battery. Interesting!

http://darrenortiz.com/website_pdfs/BMWi3PG.pdf - Page 37

... Rob

 

[Lecram]

I am wondering if an i3 will charge in this way:
http://youtu.be/5Sujv90PLLY

 

[Stevei3]

Not sure if this is correct or not but according to BMW tech info, the REx only powers the motor and does not charge the battery.

Hi Rob,

your interpretation is incorrect: REx does charge the battery to maintain the given level of charge. It does not charge the battery above the 'hold' point though, so, effectively, you cannot charge the battery with REx.

Steven

PS: Lecram: nice find

 

[DHP]

http://darrenortiz.com/website_pdfs/BMWi3PG.pdf - Page 37

Not sure if that document is canadian or how old it is but page 37 also mentions 2.4 gallon rex tank vs 1.9 gallon

 

[I33t]

http://darrenortiz.com/website_pdfs/BMWi3PG.pdf - Page 37

Not sure if that document is canadian or how old it is but page 37 also mentions 2.4 gallon rex tank vs 1.9 gallon

It has been made clear that the 2.4 vs 1.9 Gallon tank issue is the result of US vs Imperial Gallons. It's been reported that the fuel tank part numbers are the same for US and EU cars and the volume in Litres is consistent. Do we need to repeat the resulting confusion?

 

[i3burlington]

Stevei3, that makes sense.

I didn't know how they could just power the motor so it's probably just wording so non electronic types could understand it.

Thanks for the clarification.

... Rob

 

[DHP]

Do we need to repeat the resulting confusion?

I don't want to repeat and hope you're right - however, the BMW US website now has the rex tank capacity at 1.9 gallons and it used to be at 2.4 gallons in the specifications. I don't think this topic will be put to bed until they release the us spec rex hopefully later this week and someone fills up to confirm

 

[ultraturtle]

Good find, DHP. Thanks. The US spec for the i3 REx states 1.9 gal: http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Cont...d_Specs/BMWi3RangeExtenderSpecifications.aspx

The silver lining in this is that since BEVx criteria demand that the gasoline powered range not exceed the battery range, the tank was probably sized to provide as much as 72 miles of range (my guess at the REx electric range based on EPA 81 mile BEV range minus 6% reserve for REx operation and 4.65% efficiency loss due to weight [http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/i/i3/2013/showroom/technical_data.html#m=i3_range_extender]), meaning that the REx will probably be rated by the EPA at close to 38mpg operating on gasoline power. This is about the same as a Volt.