Tag Archives: BMW i

What Is BMW eDrive. BMW i Cars With eDrive.

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.

What is What In Electromobility: EV, PHEV, HEV

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Looks like our generation is “driving” into the future where emission-free cars will be as a matter of course, and not the piece of luxury. The future where all-electric and plug-in hybrids prevail on the road. The future where everyone knows what is EV, PHEV, HEV, BEV, ER-EV, and takes it for granted. But as for now, electric cars are the matter of “woooooow!”, and a subject for photo shooting by every person going by or driving by on a traditional car.

Most of happy owners of electric autos do not even imagine changing back to a conventional fuel car and traditional driving. But actually, most of average car drivers don’t know much about electric cars and are still fuzzy about electric vehicle types, engines and basic electromobility things.

EV, PHEV, HEV – so what each of them is all about?

Generally, there are all-electric cars (EV), hybrid electric cars (HEV), and plug-in hybrid electric cars (PHEV).

All-electric cars: operate on electricity exclusively; equipped with one or more electric motors for propulsion; use the rechargeable battery packs
Example: all-electric BMW i3, Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model S

Hybrid cars: mostly powered by regular internal combustion engine; electric motor starts to operate when extra power is needed; the car can use two propulsion means separately or at the same time; electric engine is converting and storing energy in the battery acting as a generator
Example: BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid – mild hybrid, BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid – full hybrid, Toyota Prius – full hybrid

Plug-in hybrid cars: equipped with the combustion engine and electric motor; mostly powered by electric motor, as a primary source of power; the internal combustion engine acts as the backup; rechargeable battery can be charged by plugging in to a power source
Example: plug-in hybrid BMW i8 Continue reading →

BMW i EV and SAMSUNG SDI Battery Tandem

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Battery is the heart of the v oblectric car. Any huge automaker looking to become No. 1 on electric car front, first and foremost, should pay attention to the battery quality. So let’s look at the batteries used in BMW i concept models.

Although the market of electric and hybrid cars is still new and small, the global demand is on the rise. According to EV Obsession, through the 1st 6 months of 2016, 91,300 plug-in electric and hybrid cars were sold in Europe. According InsideEVs, in the first quarter of 2016, BMW sold 5,128 i3 and i8 models worldwide.

It looks like urban people get used to the idea of electric cars, but they expect a superior driving experience. They want to pay for cars using powerful, sustainable and lightweight batteries with high energy density and functioning at low/high temperatures.

On the battery market, one of the leading providers of Lithium Ion Batteries are Panasonic Corporation and Samsung SDI. One of the well-known established tandems are Tesla and Panasonic, BMW and Samsung.

By the way, Samsung SDI was rumored to be on talks with Tesla to supply batteries for Tesla Model 3 [source Bloomberg]. Though later Tesla CEO Elon Musk debunked the rumor, twittering “Would like to clarify that Tesla is working exclusively with Panasonic for Model 3 cells. News articles claiming otherwise are incorrect”, we guess there is no smoke without fire 😉 Samsung battery making is on dramatic rise. South Korean giant is going to build a battery-cell factory, expected to start production in 2018. Hence, time will show which battery maker will become the major force on EV, HEV and PHEV battery market.

Samsung SDI EV, HEV, PHEV Battery Supplier

Samsung SDI is a division of South Korean Samsung conglomerate and manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for use in hybrid and electric cars. Samsung SDI says that energy changes the world. They are dedicated to providing eco-friendly battery solutions and energy management to support “green” initiative. Samsung SDI started to build electric car batteries since 2000, now being the battery provider for over 30 vehicle electrification projects.

BMW Group is collaborating with Samsung SDI since 2009. Their stable partnership results in that Samsung batteries power best BMW i concept models, award-winning i3 and i8.

The company has a 15-year experience of engineering and manufacturing lithium-ion auto battery. On EV battery market, Samsung’s rivals are Panasonic and LG Chem.

There are prismatic, cylindrical and polymer battery cells. Samsung makes prismatic cells of compact design convenient for different configurations and compatible with both PHEV and EV. The lithium is the lightest element that allows for batteries have higher energy density per unit mass than nickel- or lead-based chemistries. To deliver battery with long-term performance and lifespan, Samsung’s battery cells are checked to meet multiple production criteria. Samsung SDI has set zero-defect track record and produces built-in safety devices in its battery. Samsung SDI’s battery aluminium housing and laser welding make them impervious to humidity, while keeping sufficient quantity of electrolyte inside ensuring long-term performance. The high-voltage battery of the BMW i8 carries a warranty for a period of 8 years or a distance of 100,000 km.

BMW’s choice of using electric car battery by Samsung is also based on battery cells suitability for eco-friendly production.

What They Say At BMW and Samsung

Dr. Klaus Draeger, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Purchasing and Supplier Network: “Our partnership with Samsung SDI is a good example of successful Korean-German cooperation on innovative technologies. The battery is a key component in every electric vehicle – since it basically determines the range and performance capabilities of the car. In Samsung SDI, we have chosen a supplier that offers us the best-available technology with future-oriented Korean battery expertise.” [source press.bmwgroup.com]

Sang-Jin Park, CEO of Samsung SDI: “I am very proud that Samsung SDI supports the success of the BMW i3 and i8. The decision taken in 2009 to choose lithium-ion battery cells from Samsung SDI for the BMW i models was the right one for both companies. Additional BMW vehicles will also be equipped with Samsung SDI’s leading lithium-ion technology. This MoU with the BMW Group demonstrates the trust in Samsung SDI’s future technology and efficient mass production capabilities. Both companies are confident that this extended partnership will secure their leadership in future technologies.” [source press.bmwgroup.com]

Our guess is that over the next couple of decades battery tech market will have dramatic rise and Samsung SDI is on its way to become a major player. Do you have extra info on bmw i + samsung batteries?

Those of you with a Tech background looking for more tech info on BMW EVs + Samsung Batteries, we recommend taking a look at CleanTechnica in-depth post on the topic.

What Is BMW i

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Without a shadow of doubt, for us, BMW devotees, BMW brand cars are amazing. Be it automobile exterior or interior.

BMW is one of the leading car companies making the best cars ever. It comes as no surprise thereby that this progressive carmaker gave birth to new concept models with plug-in technology, the BMW i!

BMW Project i

BMW i is a company project, ground-breaking concept and BMW sub-brand, founded to deliver electric cars for driving pleasure in megacities. “Project i” cars are produced using sustainable and recycle materials. Maximum mobility and sustainability are main principles in BMW i concept. The goal of BMW is to use plug-in technology to keep offering high performance cars while reducing CO2 emissions. Lightweight, free from emission and noise, BMW i models are created to reduce air pollutions and power consumption. Designed for people who live in huge cities and crave for urban driving comfort, BMW i concept cars adapt to big city lifestyle and individual driver needs.

BMW i Brand Concept

BMW i Sustainability and Mobility

BMW i concept cars are manufactured to adapt to megacity driving and dynamic environment. Urban mobility and sustainability is a very important aspect of our everyday life, as well as the defining feature of BMW i car technology. The use of energy-efficient materials in car production make BMW i vehicles more mobile, sustainable and lightweight versus petrol or diesel engine cars. Continue reading →