BMW i3 Range Extender

The BMW i3 and BMW i3s each have their own pages here on the site which go into greater detail about the specification of the vehicle. The BMW i3 Range Extender, though, offers something a little different again so we thought it would be remiss of us not to give this vehicle it’s very own page with a brief description of how it differs from the other models of the i3 family.

The BMW i3 Range Extender is essentially an i3 with a back-up plan. Although it does have a 650cc engine which sits next to the electric motor, the BMW i3 Range Extender is not a conventional hybrid. Yes, this two cylinder engine can propel the vehicle forward on its own but its real purpose is to power a generator to maintain the charge level of the high voltage battery at a constant level. Switching on automatically when the battery level is low, BMW claims that this innovation can increase the range of the vehicle in “Comfort Mode” from up to 125 miles to a total of 205 miles with no compromise on luggage space in the boot.

Due to the increased range offered by the new i3 and i3s, the Range Extender is no longer available to buy brand new from the manufacturer but there are a good number of used BMW i3 Range Extenders available. The convenience of the extra range (not to mention peace of mind) does mean buyers can expect to pay a little more for the Range Extender than a comparable pure electric i3 but here at pluginsure we’ll try to cushion that premium by saving you money on your insurance!