i3 HV Battery Upgrade

[blamblam]

I’d be interested in that battery upgrade.

I would keep my REX. I love it! No broken or seedy charge areas, lots of petrol shops still around, no need for level 2 charge.

[Zincaplexy]

I'm thrilled that this is being seriously considered. I definitely would buy this type of upgrade for at least one i3 (2015). 40Kwh most likely, but also interested in larger batteries. If this becomes a reality it would probably prompt me to buy a BEV i3 which is otherwise problematic for non-urban driving in the PNW. BMW's failure to update this otherwise excellent design makes this an incredibly attractive proposition for those of us who normally own a car for a decade or two.

[geekbrit]

I'd buy the 40KWh pack today. I'd have to think about the larger packs, but they're not out of the question.

[crazycanuck]

I like the 40/69/90 kWh options. All seem good. Keeping my REX though as Canuck-land is a big place. East coast USA is drivable for me so works well.

[andrealevine71]

i'm interested, but i'm in austin texas

[smaster553]

I would be interested in the 90kW to increase range to 300+ miles. Question is this being a lighter car how come this car has same range (for the same size battery) than a heavier car. Is it something to do with how they manage it.

[alohart]

I would be interested in the 90kW to increase range to 300+ miles. Question is this being a lighter car how come this car has same range (for the same size battery) than a heavier car. Is it something to do with how they manage it.

A 90 kWh (not kW which is power, not energy) battery would be extremely heavy for an i3 using the most energy-dense cells currently available. The i3's tires, suspension, and maybe brakes and wheels would have to be upgraded to support the additional weight. So this would be a very expensive upgrade even above the cost of the high cost of a 90 kWh battery pack.

Weight doesn't affect the range of an EV as much as it does an ICE vehicle because an EV's regen can be stronger with additional weight during urban driving, and weight doesn't have much effect on the highway range of any vehicle. However, highway range is worse for vehicles with poorer aerodynamics like an i3. Our i3 has been driven in urban and suburban settings almost exclusively since we bought it in November, 2014. Its lifetime efficiency is 5.2 mi/kWh which would be difficult to match for most EV's due to their heavier weight.

[i3sDan]

Hi there, any update on the development status for this project?

Thank you!

[tommyj496]

I'd be thrilled to get the opportunity to upgrade my 2014 i3 battery! Likely the 40 kwh option... Or if something between 40 and 69 were available (uhh...55? ) I would likely consider that too.

I'm an east coaster... So keep me posted!

[096842z]

I’ve owned my 2014 Electronaut REX since June 2016. I love it to death and would hate to get rid of it. There will be no other vehicle with its combination of light and strong building materials for a long time to come for the price. Saying all that I’ve never gone further than 40 miles from my home due to limited range (I try not to use the gas run generator). I would definitely consider a battery upgrade…Lyon came up with a battery package that would extend battery range to 400 miles, unfortunately BMW will not allow them to sell to the public.
As long as my batteries in my i3 maintain close to original range I would keep the vehicle and hopefully find a replacement upgrade when batteries fail, I would purchase the greatest range possible and then get rid of my Audi tdi suv. I am right now waiting…maybe a year away …for my APTERA 2 seat electric vehicle with 1,000 range. Progress is now ramping up for electric vehicles!
John