BMW’s ActiveE trial program came to an end and the conversion electric 1 Series Coupes have been handed over to BMW and as expected, the company is crushing the vehicles.
Nothing unusual and a fairly common practice, but still heartbreaking for EV lovers to see a truck full of crushed electric cars. Strict laws regarding the resale and reuse of ‘pre-production test vehicles, are the reason for this action.
But not all of the ActiveE models are being destroyed at the moment. Based on increasing demand, the most well cared for cars have been deployed to bolster the fleet of Drive Now in San Francisco. Others have returned to Europe to be used in other markets.
InsideEVs reached to out to David Buchko, head of BMWNA product and technology communications, for an official statement:
“Anyone who has watched BMW’s ongoing development in the electric vehicle space and observed our investment in BMW i, has seen clear evidence of the company’s commitment to sustainable mobility.”
“BMW has always been clear that the ActiveEs were prototype vehicles and that the program would have a limited timeframe, which is now drawing to a close. Our time with the ActiveE & our Electronauts has been a great learning experience which has prepared us well for the arrival of the BMW i3 electric vehicle which is now in US showrooms at authorized BMW i Centers. As enthusiasts, we understand and appreciate the emotional connection that individuals can make with their cars. The enthusiasm that the Electronauts brought to the BMW ActiveE test program was truly remarkable.”
“The learning begun with the ActiveE will transition to the next phase with all of the lithium-ion batteries being repurposed for Battery Second Life research projects.”
“As prototypes, the BMW ActiveEs may not be resold. Based on increasing demand, the most well cared for cars have been deployed to bolster the fleet of Drive Now, BMW’s car sharing service in the San Francisco Bay Area, for a limited period. The total number of BMW ActiveEs in the Drive Now Fleet totals 150. Some have also been returned to Munich for additional research markets.”
“Legal requirements make it impossible to keep these cars on the road in the US indefinitely. Recycling of the vehicles locally is the most sustainably responsible means of handling the cars that are being taken out of service.”
new the crushing of the BMW ActiveEs was inevitable as a clearly defined test fleet, so rather than attempting to sensationalize a non-event, we decided to take the professional approach of contacting BMW for direct comment on the matter.
