
BMW eDrive is the electric drive concept made up from the electric motor, the lithium-ion battery and intelligent energy management. These three magic things work in tandem to create electric driving which is free from noise and emissions. BMW models with eDrive technology are endowed with magnificent dynamics, acceleration, mobility and sustainability.
BMW Electric Motor
Electric motor is one of the high-tech developments BMW Group has ever done. BMW cars driven on electric mode with a fully charged battery show breathtaking performance on the road and have the range enough to travel most daily distances. With no local emissions and silent operation, BMW electric motor is capable to reach short bursts of speed required to overtaking a car in front.
BMW Lithium-Ion Battery
BMW eDrive technology intends to use a battery to power the propulsion of the electric car. The lithium-ion battery is an electricity storage device of high-performance, required for electric driving. To power its i-concept cars with premium quality batteries, BMW teams up with Samsung SDI. To minimize range/charge loss and enhance battery service life, the carmaker incorporated a cooling system in order to keep battery at optimum temperature rate. As to the charging, it is possible even at a conventional household socket. To charge the battery to its full capacity is also possible at public charge stations. For charging your BMW i model, BMW offers The ChargeNow mobility service. Use it when on the move to find the charging locations in your area, wherever and whenever you are right now. However, if you want maximum convenience, 100% safety and fast charging, there is an option to install a BMW charging box developed for home use. It can be mounted on the wall of the house and garage. It saves about 4 hours of charging time and protects from technical risks that may be caused by charging the car battery at a conventional socket.
BMW Intelligent Energy Management
Intelligent energy management is one of the core technologies within BMW EfficientDynamics concept. Intelligent energy management is about balancing the relations between the electric drivetrain and the battery, and the electric motor with ICE. The task is delivering perfect performance with less power consumption. Depending on the route and driving situation, navigation data calculates the optimum time to start electric mode driving or battery charging; this energy management technology saves up to 10% of energy enabling the car to go longer distance on a pure electrical mode. The kinetic energy released during braking or deceleration is stored in the high-performance battery and is available when necessary to boost overall performance. To help the driver to increase electric range, there is the Eco Pro mode which additionally reduces power consumption, and the tips for efficient driving are shown on the control display.
eDrive technology in the BMW i8 and i3
Founded in 2011, BMW i started to work on the two initial concepts: the i3 all-electric mega city vehicle and the plug-in hybrid sports car i8. The BMW i3, a locally emission-free car for city driving, became the first i brand model, launched in 2013. Year later, it was followed by the i8, as the most progressive sports car, packed with the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. Both innovative models have been developed with the principle of intelligent energy consumption and sustainable electric mobility. Both equipped with BMW eDrive technology units – the electric motor, the high-performance battery, and internal systems for the efficient management of energy flows within the car.
BMW eDrive in the i8
The gorgeous plug-in hybrid i8 is the first sports car boasting the consumption and emission figures of a compact automobile. The mixture of eDrive system and petrol engine guarantee an efficient and dynamic driving performance. Comfort, Eco Pro, Sport and eDrive modes are available to adapt the car for current driving situation and road conditions. For purely electric driving, there is a magic eDrive button. Pure electric driving is possible at speeds of up to 120 km/h with eDrive.
The Comfort mode with eDrive allows driving the i8 without support from the internal combustion engine until the battery is almost depleted. The ICE is activated at 60 km/h if the eDrive mode is not pressed.
The energy released during braking or deceleration is stored in the high-performance battery and converts into electric energy to recharge the battery and boost car electric range.
BMW eDrive in the i3
BMW i3 is the first car produced under BMW “Project i” and developed for pure electric driving. Powered by an all-electric drivetrain, this appealing car from BMW is designed to deliver emission and odour free performance at fully electric drive. This is a compact auto for urban driving and BMW’s first car featuring carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer to improve the energy consumption. BMW is offering a range extender option powered by gasoline engine with a small fuel tank.
The engine engages when the battery level drops to a pre-specified point, and takes a role of a generator producing electricity to extend driving range. In this BMW i model, intelligent power management, the electric motor and high-performance battery from Samsung operate side-by-side to gear all car systems towards exceptional electric driving.