{ "id": "eps6ashn97", "slug": "bmw-i3", "title": "BMW i3", "updated": "2026-10-15", "topic_path": [ { "id": "technology", "label": "Technology and the built world", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/technology" }, { "id": "technology.transport", "label": "Transport and spaceflight", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/technology.transport" }, { "id": "technology.transport.road", "label": "Road transport", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/technology.transport.road" }, { "id": "technology.transport.road.automobiles", "label": "Automobiles", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/technology.transport.road.automobiles" }, { "id": "technology.transport.road.automobiles.german-automobile-models", "label": "German automobile models", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/technology.transport.road.automobiles.german-automobile-models" }, { "id": "technology.transport.road.automobiles.german-automobile-models.bmw-models", "label": "BMW models", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/technology.transport.road.automobiles.german-automobile-models.bmw-models" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.technology.transport.road.automobiles.german-automobile-models.bmw-models", "label": "Western Europe · 2001 to 2020: BMW models", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.technology.transport.road.automobiles.german-automobile-models.bmw-models", "path": [ { "id": "geo.weu", "label": "Western Europe", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001", "label": "Western Europe · 2001 to 2020", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.technology", "label": "Technology and the built world", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.technology" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.technology.transport", "label": "Transport and spaceflight", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.technology.transport" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.technology.transport.road", "label": "Road transport", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.technology.transport.road" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.technology.transport.road.automobiles", "label": "Automobiles", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.technology.transport.road.automobiles" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.technology.transport.road.automobiles.german-automobile-models", "label": "German automobile models", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.technology.transport.road.automobiles.german-automobile-models" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.technology.transport.road.automobiles.german-automobile-models.bmw-models", "label": "BMW models", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.technology.transport.road.automobiles.german-automobile-models.bmw-models" } ] } ], "excerpt": "The BMW i3 is a compact five-door electric car produced by BMW in Leipzig from September 2013 to 2022, with about 250,000 units built over nine years.", "snippet": "The BMW i3 is a compact five-door electric car produced by BMW in Leipzig from September 2013 to 2022, with about 250,000 units built over nine years.", "node": "technology.transport.road.automobiles.german-automobile-models.bmw-models", "markdown": "# BMW i3\n\nThe **BMW i3** (internal code i01) is a compact five-door electric car produced by BMW Group at its Leipzig plant from September 2013 to 2022 as the company's first fully electric series-production model. It was built on a purpose-designed architecture combining an aluminum chassis with a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell, and about 250,000 units were made over its nine-year run.[1](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0145644EN/a-new-era-dawns%3A-bmw-group-begins-series-production-of-the-bmw-i3-electric-car-in-leipzig-/-industrial-scale-manufacture-of-cfrp-makes-its-debut-in-the-car-industry-/-commitment-to-a-sustainable-production-process?language=en) • [2](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0401920EN/the-electric-pioneer-on-the-home-stretch%3A-production-of-the-bmw-i3-comes-to-a-close-with-an-anniversary-and-the-exclusive-homerun-edition/1000) In 2026 BMW revived the i3 name for an unrelated electric sedan based on the Neue Klasse platform, built in Munich.[3](https://www.t3.com/auto/electric-vehicles/bmw-i3-is-back-for-a-new-generation-of-electric-car-drivers)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Production run | Series production began September 2013 at Plant Leipzig; about 250,000 units built; production ended in 2022[1](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0145644EN/a-new-era-dawns%3A-bmw-group-begins-series-production-of-the-bmw-i3-electric-car-in-leipzig-/-industrial-scale-manufacture-of-cfrp-makes-its-debut-in-the-car-industry-/-commitment-to-a-sustainable-production-process?language=en) • [2](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0401920EN/the-electric-pioneer-on-the-home-stretch%3A-production-of-the-bmw-i3-comes-to-a-close-with-an-anniversary-and-the-exclusive-homerun-edition/1000) |\n| Architecture | LifeDrive concept: aluminum Drive module (chassis, battery, powertrain) plus a CFRP Life module passenger cell[4](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0144126EN_US/worldwide-debut-of-the-all-new-bmw-i3?language=en_US) |\n| Batteries | 60 Ah / 22.6 kWh at launch (2013), 94 Ah / 33 kWh (2016), 120 Ah / 42.2 kWh (2018)[5](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/attachment/T0284828EN/421720) |\n| Range | 81 miles at launch, up to 190 miles with the final 42.2 kWh battery[6](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/i3) |\n| Motor | 170 hp (125 kW), 250 Nm, 50 kg rear-mounted unit; i3s version 184 hp[7](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0143611EN_US/the-bmw-i3) • [6](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/i3) |\n| Range extender | Optional 647 cc two-cylinder petrol engine acting as a generator, lifting total range to about 150 miles[6](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/i3) |\n| Safety rating | Euro NCAP 2013: four stars[8](https://cdn.euroncap.com/media/5808/euroncap_bmw_i3_2013_4stars.pdf) |\n| Successor name | New BMW i3 electric sedan, series production from August 2026 at Plant Munich, up to 900 km WLTP range[3](https://www.t3.com/auto/electric-vehicles/bmw-i3-is-back-for-a-new-generation-of-electric-car-drivers) |\n\n## Development and launch\n\nThe i3 grew out of BMW's \"project i\", which also produced the i8 plug-in-hybrid sports car launched in 2014.[9](https://www.bmwgroup.com/de/news/allgemein/2025/drei-millionen-mit-e-antrieb.html) A concept version was shown in summer 2011, and the production car reached dealers in November 2013, when deliveries began in Germany and other European countries; the USA, China, and other markets followed in early 2014.[10](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/i3/106128/used-bmw-i3-review) • [1](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0145644EN/a-new-era-dawns%3A-bmw-group-begins-series-production-of-the-bmw-i3-electric-car-in-leipzig-/-industrial-scale-manufacture-of-cfrp-makes-its-debut-in-the-car-industry-/-commitment-to-a-sustainable-production-process?language=en) BMW described it as the first premium car purpose-designed from the ground up to run purely on electric power.[11](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/attachment/T0148284EN/276971)\n\nSeries production was set up in a dedicated area of Plant Leipzig, separate from the conventional lines, because of the car's special architecture. The plant drew its electricity for i production from wind turbines, and BMW reported using 50 percent less energy and 70 percent less water than for a comparable conventional model.[1](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0145644EN/a-new-era-dawns%3A-bmw-group-begins-series-production-of-the-bmw-i3-electric-car-in-leipzig-/-industrial-scale-manufacture-of-cfrp-makes-its-debut-in-the-car-industry-/-commitment-to-a-sustainable-production-process?language=en) BMW also carried out a full life-cycle assessment of the car using the [ISO 14040](https://www.edgepedia.org/iso-14040) and ISO 14044 standards, and stated that the i3's carbon footprint was around a third smaller than that of the BMW 118d, or around 50 percent smaller when running on renewable electricity.[12](https://www.iso.org/news/2014/07/Ref1864.html) • [11](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/attachment/T0148284EN/276971)\n\n## Architecture and powertrain\n\n**LifeDrive structure.** The car is split into two horizontally separate modules. The Drive module is an aluminum chassis that integrates the battery and drive system into a single structure; the Life module is the passenger cell, made principally of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic. The CFRP cell is lightweight and high-strength, which allowed a smaller and lighter battery, and the clear Life/Drive separation removed the need for a central tunnel, opening up the interior floor.[4](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0144126EN_US/worldwide-debut-of-the-all-new-bmw-i3?language=en_US) • [7](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0143611EN_US/the-bmw-i3) This was the first industrial-scale use of CFRP in automotive volume production, and BMW stated it was the first company to make the material economically viable in vehicle manufacturing.[1](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0145644EN/a-new-era-dawns%3A-bmw-group-begins-series-production-of-the-bmw-i3-electric-car-in-leipzig-/-industrial-scale-manufacture-of-cfrp-makes-its-debut-in-the-car-industry-/-commitment-to-a-sustainable-production-process?language=en)\n\nThe carbon fiber supply chain ran from a BMW Group and SGL Group joint venture plant in Moses Lake, Washington State, where fiber was made using hydroelectric power, to Wackersdorf in Germany for processing into fabrics, then to Landshut and Leipzig for CFRP component production and final assembly.[13](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/united-kingdom/article/detail/T0120881EN_GB/the-carbon-age-begins-%E2%80%93-bmw-group-/-sgl-group-joint-venture-opens-the-new-moses-lake-plant-start-of-carbon-fiber-production-for-bmw-i3-and-bmw-i8?language=en_GB)\n\n**Drive system.** The electric motor, power electronics, and high-voltage lithium-ion battery were developed and built in-house under BMW's eDrive program. The rear-mounted hybrid [synchronous motor](https://www.edgepedia.org/synchronous-motor) produced 170 hp (125 kW) and 250 Nm of torque from a 50 kg unit, driving the rear wheels. The low, central battery placement gave near 50:50 weight distribution, and the car's turning circle of 9.86 meters (32.3 ft) was unusually small for its class.[7](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0143611EN_US/the-bmw-i3) A single-pedal control mode engaged regeneration as soon as the driver lifted off the accelerator, switching the motor from drive to generator mode.[7](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0143611EN_US/the-bmw-i3)\n\nFrom launch, a range-extender (REx) version was available, adding a 647 cc two-cylinder petrol engine from [BMW Motorrad](https://www.edgepedia.org/bmw-motorrad) that acted as a generator for the battery and pushed total range to about 150 miles. The option was dropped after 2018 in favor of larger batteries.[6](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/i3) • [14](https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/bmw/i3) In 2018 the sportier i3s joined the range with 184 hp, a 0-62 mph time of 6.9 seconds, and a 99 mph top speed, against 7.3 seconds and 93 mph for the standard car.[6](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/i3)\n\n## Battery generations and range\n\nThe high-voltage battery was produced at BMW's Dingolfing plant and was upgraded twice without changing its physical size. The launch battery had 60 Ah cells and 22.6 kWh gross energy; the second generation, introduced in 2016, reached 94 Ah and 33 kWh; and the third generation of November 2018 reached 120 Ah and 42.2 kWh gross, roughly doubling storage capacity since launch.[5](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/attachment/T0284828EN/421720) • [15](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/middle-east/article/detail/T0285706EN/with-new-high-voltage-batteries-for-an-even-further-extended-range-and-retaining-characteristic-bmw-sporty-flair%3A-the-bmw-i3-120-ah-and-the-bmw-i3s-120-ah) Range grew accordingly, from 81 miles at launch to a maximum of 190 miles with the final battery.[6](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/i3) Combined power consumption was rated at 16.3 to 15.3 kWh/100 km under WLTP and 13.1 to 14.0 kWh/100 km under NEDC, with 0 g/km CO2.[2](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0401920EN/the-electric-pioneer-on-the-home-stretch%3A-production-of-the-bmw-i3-comes-to-a-close-with-an-anniversary-and-the-exclusive-homerun-edition/1000)\n\nBMW also designed the packs for second-life use: used i3 batteries were combined into stationary storage systems, with four retired packs forming one roughly 1,000 kg storage unit for buffering renewable energy.[16](https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/dam/grpw/websites/bmwgroup_com/responsibility/downloads/en/2015/BMW_SVR_2015_RZ_EN.pdf)\n\n## Reception and market position\n\nAt launch the i3 competed with the [Nissan Leaf](https://www.edgepedia.org/nissan-leaf) and [Renault Zoe](https://www.edgepedia.org/renault-zoe) in the small electric segment. Contemporary comparisons noted its advanced construction and strong performance, with a 170 hp motor against 109 hp for the Leaf and 88 hp for the Zoe, but also its high price, from about 30,000 euros in Spain, and limited range; a Spanish El País group test ranked the Leaf first overall on practicality, range, and price while calling the i3 the most technologically advanced car of the test.[17](https://elpais.com/elpais/2014/02/11/motor/1392117701_695437.html) Reviewers praised the light, well-made cabin and eager driving character while criticizing the firm, knobbly ride and the grip limits of the narrow tires.[14](https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/bmw/i3) • [6](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/i3) The car received four stars in [Euro NCAP](https://www.edgepedia.org/euro-ncap) testing published in 2013.[8](https://cdn.euroncap.com/media/5808/euroncap_bmw_i3_2013_4stars.pdf)\n\n## End of production and legacy\n\nProduction ended in 2022 after about nine years and 250,000 vehicles, closing with a HomeRun Edition limited to ten cars in an Individual Frozen paint finish. BMW called the i3 its first large-series production automobile with fully electric drive and credited it as a pioneer of sustainable mobility in the company's history.[2](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0401920EN/the-electric-pioneer-on-the-home-stretch%3A-production-of-the-bmw-i3-comes-to-a-close-with-an-anniversary-and-the-exclusive-homerun-edition/1000) The i3's electric motor technology carried over into other BMW Group products, including the electric MINI launched in 2020.[2](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0401920EN/the-electric-pioneer-on-the-home-stretch%3A-production-of-the-bmw-i3-comes-to-a-close-with-an-anniversary-and-the-exclusive-homerun-edition/1000)\n\n## The new i3 (2026)\n\nIn March 2026 BMW presented a completely different car under the same name: a fully electric sedan, built on the Neue Klasse design language introduced with the iX3.[20](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0375953EN?language=en) The new i3 uses dual motors producing 469 hp (345 kW) and 645 Nm of torque, supports bi-directional Vehicle-to-Home and Vehicle-to-Grid charging and up to 22 kW AC home charging in some markets, and offers up to 900 km of WLTP range. Series production began in August 2026 at BMW Group Plant Munich, where staff had been trained for the new model from late 2025.[3](https://www.t3.com/auto/electric-vehicles/bmw-i3-is-back-for-a-new-generation-of-electric-car-drivers) • [18](https://www.bmwgroup.com/en/news/general/2026/series-production-of-the-bmw-i3.html) • [19](https://www.bmwgroup.com/de/news/allgemein/2026/startklar-fuer-die-neue-klasse.html) BMW lists provisional WLTP figures for the i3 50 xDrive of 16.1 to 13.4 kWh/100 km and a range of 758 to 912 km.[18](https://www.bmwgroup.com/en/news/general/2026/series-production-of-the-bmw-i3.html)\n\n## References\n\n1. [A new era dawns: BMW Group begins series production of the BMW i3 electric car in Leipzig, BMW Group PressClub (2013)](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0145644EN/a-new-era-dawns%3A-bmw-group-begins-series-production-of-the-bmw-i3-electric-car-in-leipzig-/-industrial-scale-manufacture-of-cfrp-makes-its-debut-in-the-car-industry-/-commitment-to-a-sustainable-production-process?language=en)\n2. [The electric pioneer on the home stretch: Production of the BMW i3 comes to a close with an anniversary and the exclusive HomeRun Edition, BMW Group PressClub (2022)](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0401920EN/the-electric-pioneer-on-the-home-stretch%3A-production-of-the-bmw-i3-comes-to-a-close-with-an-anniversary-and-the-exclusive-homerun-edition/1000)\n3. [BMW i3 is back for a new generation of electric car drivers, T3 (2026)](https://www.t3.com/auto/electric-vehicles/bmw-i3-is-back-for-a-new-generation-of-electric-car-drivers)\n4. [Worldwide debut of the all-new BMW i3, BMW Group PressClub USA (2013)](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0144126EN_US/worldwide-debut-of-the-all-new-bmw-i3?language=en_US)\n5. [BMW high-voltage battery technical information, BMW Group PressClub (2018)](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/attachment/T0284828EN/421720)\n6. [BMW i3 (2013-2022) review, Auto Express](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/i3)\n7. [The BMW i3, BMW Group PressClub USA (2013)](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0143611EN_US/the-bmw-i3)\n8. [Euro NCAP test results: BMW i3, 2013](https://cdn.euroncap.com/media/5808/euroncap_bmw_i3_2013_4stars.pdf)\n9. [Drei Millionen mit E-Antrieb, BMW Group (2025)](https://www.bmwgroup.com/de/news/allgemein/2025/drei-millionen-mit-e-antrieb.html)\n10. [Used BMW i3 review, Auto Express](https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/i3/106128/used-bmw-i3-review)\n11. [BMW i3 press kit, BMW Group PressClub (2013)](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/attachment/T0148284EN/276971)\n12. [BMW gears up clean cars with ISO standards, ISO (2014)](https://www.iso.org/news/2014/07/Ref1864.html)\n13. [The Carbon Age Begins: BMW Group / SGL Group joint venture opens the Moses Lake plant, BMW Group PressClub](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/united-kingdom/article/detail/T0120881EN_GB/the-carbon-age-begins-%E2%80%93-bmw-group-/-sgl-group-joint-venture-opens-the-new-moses-lake-plant-start-of-carbon-fiber-production-for-bmw-i3-and-bmw-i8?language=en_GB)\n14. [BMW i3 Review, Top Gear](https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/bmw/i3)\n15. [With new high-voltage batteries for an even further extended range: the BMW i3 (120 Ah) and the BMW i3s (120 Ah), BMW Group PressClub (2018)](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/middle-east/article/detail/T0285706EN/with-new-high-voltage-batteries-for-an-even-further-extended-range-and-retaining-characteristic-bmw-sporty-flair%3A-the-bmw-i3-120-ah-and-the-bmw-i3s-120-ah)\n16. [BMW Group Sustainable Value Report 2015](https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/dam/grpw/websites/bmwgroup_com/responsibility/downloads/en/2015/BMW_SVR_2015_RZ_EN.pdf)\n17. [El Nissan Leaf tiene más autonomía, El País (2014)](https://elpais.com/elpais/2014/02/11/motor/1392117701_695437.html)\n18. [Series production of the BMW i3 launches in Munich, BMW Group (2026)](https://www.bmwgroup.com/en/news/general/2026/series-production-of-the-bmw-i3.html)\n19. [BMW Group Werk München: Startklar für die Neue Klasse, BMW Group (2025)](https://www.bmwgroup.com/de/news/allgemein/2026/startklar-fuer-die-neue-klasse.html)\n20. [The first fully electric BMW 3 Series, tailor-made for China.](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0375953EN?language=en)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Technology and the built world › Transport and spaceflight › Road transport › Automobiles › German automobile models › BMW models*\n\n*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 15, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 11, 2026; Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Oct 15, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/bmw-i3", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/bmw-i3.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"BMW i3\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/bmw-i3. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[BMW i3](https://www.edgepedia.org/bmw-i3)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/bmw-i3](https://www.edgepedia.org/bmw-i3). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"BMW i3\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/bmw-i3. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "The BMW i3 is a compact five-door electric car produced by BMW in Leipzig from September 2013 to 2022, with about 250,000 units built over nine years." }