BMW CEO Harald Krueger says the BMW i3 will get a “battery facelift” in 2016. In an interview with Die Zeit, BMW’s chief says the i3 will take advantage next year of new battery technology.
“Battery cell technology continues to evolve,” Krueger said. “The range of the i3 will be increased in 2016. A further technological improvement is to be expected in three or four years: Then you’ll be able to go twice as far on a single charge without any further increase in the weight of the battery.”
Our sources say the i3 will get a new battery with higher capacity and more efficient which will lead to a higher driving range. The i3 currently has a driving range of 81 miles – 72 mile when fitted with the range extender.
Same sources say BMW has yet to determine whether customers will be able to swap their current i3 battery pack – at a cost – or the two i3 models will be sold concurrently as Tesla does with its Model S vehicles. When pressed on the issue of battery swapping, Krueger said “We are currently looking into that.”
BMW is expected to launch the updated i3 in the second half of 2016.
