When I was asked to drive a BMW i3 for a few days and share my experience, I must say I had mixed feelings, but was also excited to do the test. In addition to being the first car test of my life of which I was going to write an article about, it was also my first electric car driving experience on longer distance.
At first glance, the i3 seems to be a small city car, which could comfortably be used by max. 2 people. However, with a closer look and after opening the unique rear door of the car (the unusual rear-hinged rear doors can be opened after the front doors) we can see that travelling on the back seat is perfectly comfortable. Walking around the car, it really does not seem too big, which is why it can definitely be ideal for city use, especially for downtown parking.
When I got in, I was surprised that the car is pretty spacious in the front passenger compartment, two passengers can comfortably be seated, or we could comfortably travel in it with the family, two kids sitting in the back. Due to the limited boot space one should only calculate with limited amount of luggage; for smaller outings there is no need for it.
The design of the dashboard and centre console is less modern, however, it's sleek style kind of reflects the environmental sustainability suggested by the electric car. The seats are comfy, can be adjusted in several directions, so you can even further elevate the already surprisingly high seating position, which is especially comfortable when getting in the car. The steering wheel is also characterized by neatness, it is relatively easy to find all the usual buttons and functions, which are perfectly partnered with the car's easy-to-read, user-friendly menu system. The gear selector is located on the right of steering column, the start button located on it. The gear lever is rather unusual, but with time I am sure one can get used to it. The same applies for the turn signal lever, as it works unusually (it does not stay in a given position, it always tilts back to the initial position and you can signal only by pressing the lever longer).
I had a positive driving experience, because I could drive confidently and safely both in the city, on the main road and on the highway. I did not notice any disadvantage of driving an electric car at all. If the situation requires so, acceleration can also be definitely and quickly done with this car. The braking force is intense and safe enough, especially since taking the foot off the gas pedal, the car itself starts firmly braking, which allows you to stop at a red light without using the brake even a bit.
Obviously, the noise impact of the travel is much less than in a conventional car, which in my experience makes the driver and passengers mentally relaxed, not to mention the sense of life that lurks in the subconscious about the fact that we are using an electric car.
The range of the car naturally depends on the level and way of use, but approximately 180-200 km can be covered when fully charged. You can select between different drive / use modes, supporting the driver to implement for example a more economic use, saving several extra 10 km ranges.
Charging the BMW i3 can be done using free or paid charging stations located in the city or in many locations of the country, or this service is already available at petrol stations. It is important to note that whether you are charging at a charging station or at a petrol station, plan ahead and choose the location according to your destination. With regard to charging at a petrol station, my experience is that even if we find a gas station where an electric car can be charged, we have to consider the fact that we may not be able to charge for technical reasons. Basically, you will definitely be able to make the gas station staff feel embarrassed, as the station personnel is not everywhere prepared to help E-drivers professionally and competently. So you might face a situation, where the charging station - although indicated by a map or an application - is not available, either due to technical issue, or simply because it is being used by another driver.
It is much more reliable to charge your car privately (at home or at an office building) than to use public charging points. When charging from household socket, the car was recharged during the expected time. Recharging for some 10 km distance could be realised in a few hours, and with a single overnight charge, a car ready to cover its full-range was waiting for us the next day.
Contrary to my somewhat reserved approach, I really enjoyed using it. With the possibility of charging at work and/or at home, this car is also suitable for medium-distance commuting or smaller weekend trips. Although I think we still need to learn how to use an electric car, it can provide a great alternative in short- and medium-distance travel, or even for everyday use, in order to reduce harmful emissions and make city air cleaner.
Krisztina Lengyel – ALD Senior Key Account Manager