BMW Concept ActiveE
Encyclopedia
The BMW ActiveE is a demonstration electric car
based on the BMW 1 Series
small family cars. It is the second vehicle after the MINI E
to be developed under BMW Group
’s Project i. The electric drive system is the latest addition to BMW’s EfficientDynamics programme.
The four-seater, rear-wheel drive ActiveE was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show
in Detroit in January 2010. Field testing of the ActiveE is scheduled to begin in December 2011 when the Mini E
trial ends. A total of 1,100 vehicles will participate in the program worldwide, and 700 will be allocated for the U.S. trial. Participants in the Mini E trial will have priority as test pilots for the new electric car
. Production began at BMW's Leipzig
plant in July 2011.
has a 32 Kwh lithium-ion battery pack developed in cooperation with SB LiMotive
and an all-electric range
of 100 miles (160.9 km). The ActiveE takes 8.5 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour (26.8 m/s) and its maximum speed is electronically limited to 90 miles per hour (40.2 m/s). The ActiveE has an EcoPro mode that retards throttle response, shuts down the defrosters and tweaks the climate control to boost efficiency by up to 10%.
The ActiveE has a 125 kW electric synchronous motor integrated into the rear axle to power the rear wheels, the same configuration that will be used in the BMW i3
. The motor weights 200 lb (90.7 kg) and delivers 184 ft·lbf of torque. The curb weight of the ActiveE is 4001 lb (1.8 km), nearly 800 lb (362.9 kg) heavier than a BMW 135i, but the ActiveE has a 50:50 weight distribution. The liquid-cooled storage cells are located under the hood, in the transmission tunnel and where the fuel tank would normally reside. The rear-mounted electric motor reduces the trunk space to 7 cu ft (198.2 l) versus 10 cu ft (283.2 l) in the standard BMW 1 Series
.
Based on the lessons learned by BMW regarding cold weather problems during the Mini E
field testing, the ActiveE will have liquid cooling and liquid heating, with a thermal management system
that is expected to allow to keep ActiveE batteries at an optimal performance temperature. The ActiveE comes with all the standard ConnectedDrive features including navigation, XM satellite radio, Google Local Search and Send-to-Car functionality, and a range of connected apps that normally come in higher-spec models. Also included with the ActiveE is a reworked BMW MyRemote application for the smartphone
s that allows remote locking and unlocking, horn and headlamp activation, and GPS-based CarFinder that allows to find the E within 1000 m (3,280.8 ft). The smartphone app also allows the user to find charging stations, get range information and pre-heat or cool the car to help extend the range.
trial ends. Participants in the Mini E trial will have priority as test pilots for the new electric car
. This trial is as a follow-up to the Mini E field testing and as a second phase of BMW's Project i. The third and last phase of "Project i" is the development of the BMW i3
, an urban electric car
that is expected to go into mass production
in 2013.
The ActiveE field testing will include 700 cars and in addition to Los Angeles
and New York
, where the Mini E
U.S. trials took place, it will also be available in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento
, Boston
, and select markets in Connecticut
. BMW set the ActiveE lease pricing at $499 a month for 24 months with a down payment of $2,250.
Electric car
An electric car is an automobile which is propelled by electric motor, using electrical energy stored in batteries or another energy storage device. Electric cars were popular in the late-19th century and early 20th century, until advances in internal combustion engine technology and mass...
based on the BMW 1 Series
BMW 1 Series
The BMW 1 Series is an entry level sports car produced by the German automaker BMW since 2004. The 1 Series is unusual in its class as it features rear-wheel drive, 50:50 weight balance, a longitudinally-mounted engine and an advanced aluminum multilink suspension...
small family cars. It is the second vehicle after the MINI E
Mini E
The Mini E is a demonstration electric car developed by BMW as a conversion of its Mini Cooper car. The MINI E was developed for field trials and deployed in several countries, including the United States, Germany, UK, France, Japan and China...
to be developed under BMW Group
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
’s Project i. The electric drive system is the latest addition to BMW’s EfficientDynamics programme.
The four-seater, rear-wheel drive ActiveE was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
in Detroit in January 2010. Field testing of the ActiveE is scheduled to begin in December 2011 when the Mini E
Mini E
The Mini E is a demonstration electric car developed by BMW as a conversion of its Mini Cooper car. The MINI E was developed for field trials and deployed in several countries, including the United States, Germany, UK, France, Japan and China...
trial ends. A total of 1,100 vehicles will participate in the program worldwide, and 700 will be allocated for the U.S. trial. Participants in the Mini E trial will have priority as test pilots for the new electric car
Electric car
An electric car is an automobile which is propelled by electric motor, using electrical energy stored in batteries or another energy storage device. Electric cars were popular in the late-19th century and early 20th century, until advances in internal combustion engine technology and mass...
. Production began at BMW's Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
plant in July 2011.
Specifications
The electric carElectric car
An electric car is an automobile which is propelled by electric motor, using electrical energy stored in batteries or another energy storage device. Electric cars were popular in the late-19th century and early 20th century, until advances in internal combustion engine technology and mass...
has a 32 Kwh lithium-ion battery pack developed in cooperation with SB LiMotive
SB LiMotive
SB LiMotive is a 50:50 joint company of Bosch and Samsung SDI founded in June 2008. The joint venture develops and manufactures lithium-ion batteries for use in hybrid-, plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles.-Milestones:...
and an all-electric range
All-electric range
All-electric range is the driving range of a vehicle using only power from its electric battery pack to traverse a given driving cycle. In the case of a battery electric vehicle, it means the total range per charge. For a plug-in hybrid , it means the range of the vehicle in charge-depleting mode...
of 100 miles (160.9 km). The ActiveE takes 8.5 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour (26.8 m/s) and its maximum speed is electronically limited to 90 miles per hour (40.2 m/s). The ActiveE has an EcoPro mode that retards throttle response, shuts down the defrosters and tweaks the climate control to boost efficiency by up to 10%.
The ActiveE has a 125 kW electric synchronous motor integrated into the rear axle to power the rear wheels, the same configuration that will be used in the BMW i3
BMW i3
The BMW i3, previously Mega City Vehicle , is an urban electric car under development by BMW. The i3 is part of BMW's "Project i" and is being planned as a new brand, BMW i. The BMW i3 is expected to go into mass production in 2013 with deliveries in several world markets by that year end...
. The motor weights 200 lb (90.7 kg) and delivers 184 ft·lbf of torque. The curb weight of the ActiveE is 4001 lb (1.8 km), nearly 800 lb (362.9 kg) heavier than a BMW 135i, but the ActiveE has a 50:50 weight distribution. The liquid-cooled storage cells are located under the hood, in the transmission tunnel and where the fuel tank would normally reside. The rear-mounted electric motor reduces the trunk space to 7 cu ft (198.2 l) versus 10 cu ft (283.2 l) in the standard BMW 1 Series
BMW 1 Series
The BMW 1 Series is an entry level sports car produced by the German automaker BMW since 2004. The 1 Series is unusual in its class as it features rear-wheel drive, 50:50 weight balance, a longitudinally-mounted engine and an advanced aluminum multilink suspension...
.
Based on the lessons learned by BMW regarding cold weather problems during the Mini E
Mini E
The Mini E is a demonstration electric car developed by BMW as a conversion of its Mini Cooper car. The MINI E was developed for field trials and deployed in several countries, including the United States, Germany, UK, France, Japan and China...
field testing, the ActiveE will have liquid cooling and liquid heating, with a thermal management system
Thermal management of electronic devices and systems
Heat generated by electronic devices and circuitry must be dissipated to improve reliability and prevent premature failure. Techniques for heat dissipation can include heatsinks and fans for air cooling, and other forms of computer cooling such as liquid cooling....
that is expected to allow to keep ActiveE batteries at an optimal performance temperature. The ActiveE comes with all the standard ConnectedDrive features including navigation, XM satellite radio, Google Local Search and Send-to-Car functionality, and a range of connected apps that normally come in higher-spec models. Also included with the ActiveE is a reworked BMW MyRemote application for the smartphone
Smartphone
A smartphone is a high-end mobile phone built on a mobile computing platform, with more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary feature phone. The first smartphones were devices that mainly combined the functions of a personal digital assistant and a mobile phone or camera...
s that allows remote locking and unlocking, horn and headlamp activation, and GPS-based CarFinder that allows to find the E within 1000 m (3,280.8 ft). The smartphone app also allows the user to find charging stations, get range information and pre-heat or cool the car to help extend the range.
Field testing
BMW has scheduled to begin field testing of the ActiveE in the United States in December 2011, when the Mini EMini E
The Mini E is a demonstration electric car developed by BMW as a conversion of its Mini Cooper car. The MINI E was developed for field trials and deployed in several countries, including the United States, Germany, UK, France, Japan and China...
trial ends. Participants in the Mini E trial will have priority as test pilots for the new electric car
Electric car
An electric car is an automobile which is propelled by electric motor, using electrical energy stored in batteries or another energy storage device. Electric cars were popular in the late-19th century and early 20th century, until advances in internal combustion engine technology and mass...
. This trial is as a follow-up to the Mini E field testing and as a second phase of BMW's Project i. The third and last phase of "Project i" is the development of the BMW i3
BMW i3
The BMW i3, previously Mega City Vehicle , is an urban electric car under development by BMW. The i3 is part of BMW's "Project i" and is being planned as a new brand, BMW i. The BMW i3 is expected to go into mass production in 2013 with deliveries in several world markets by that year end...
, an urban electric car
Electric car
An electric car is an automobile which is propelled by electric motor, using electrical energy stored in batteries or another energy storage device. Electric cars were popular in the late-19th century and early 20th century, until advances in internal combustion engine technology and mass...
that is expected to go into mass production
Mass production
Mass production is the production of large amounts of standardized products, including and especially on assembly lines...
in 2013.
The ActiveE field testing will include 700 cars and in addition to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, where the Mini E
Mini E
The Mini E is a demonstration electric car developed by BMW as a conversion of its Mini Cooper car. The MINI E was developed for field trials and deployed in several countries, including the United States, Germany, UK, France, Japan and China...
U.S. trials took place, it will also be available in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, and select markets in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. BMW set the ActiveE lease pricing at $499 a month for 24 months with a down payment of $2,250.
See also
- BMW 1 SeriesBMW 1 SeriesThe BMW 1 Series is an entry level sports car produced by the German automaker BMW since 2004. The 1 Series is unusual in its class as it features rear-wheel drive, 50:50 weight balance, a longitudinally-mounted engine and an advanced aluminum multilink suspension...
- BMW i3BMW i3The BMW i3, previously Mega City Vehicle , is an urban electric car under development by BMW. The i3 is part of BMW's "Project i" and is being planned as a new brand, BMW i. The BMW i3 is expected to go into mass production in 2013 with deliveries in several world markets by that year end...
(BMW Mega City Vehicle) - BMW i8 (Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics)
- Mini EMini EThe Mini E is a demonstration electric car developed by BMW as a conversion of its Mini Cooper car. The MINI E was developed for field trials and deployed in several countries, including the United States, Germany, UK, France, Japan and China...
- Plug-in electric car
- Government incentives for plug-in electric vehiclesGovernment incentives for plug-in electric vehiclesGovernment incentives for plug-in electric vehicles have been established by several national and local governments around the world as a financial incentive for consumers to purchase a plug-in electric vehicle....
- List of modern production plug-in electric vehicles
External links
- BMW Future of Mobility at BMW Activate the Future
- BMW Concept ActiveE: Technology overview at bmwblog.com
- BMW Concept ActiveE at BMW.com