Our Fleet Test Drive: BMW i3 - 11 report

Date: 03 December 2015   |   Author: Guy Bird

Why we're running it: To see if this EV cuts in beyond the theory Equipment: 6 airbags, stability and cornering brake control, hill-start assist, auto aircon, electric windows, leather-covered multi-function steering wheel, satnav, Bluetooth hands-free facility with USB, 50:50 split-fold rear seats, rear park distance control, 19in streamline star alloys, halogen headlights Options: Lodge trim (£1500), 19in turbine alloys (£680), Harmon Kardon hi-fi (£640), DC rapid charge prep (£560), silver metallic paint (£530), Enhanced Bluetooth with USB (£350), internet (£95) Media Package - BMW Professional (£960), Park assist package inc. colour reversing cam (£790), Winter package inc. heated front seats (£260), Online Entertainment (£190)

Case in point: after charging to 100% according to my i3 phone app, it indicated 78 miles of range, but when I got into the car not long after, only 70 miles was displayed on the vehicle's driver screen. '100%' seems to be bringing diminishing returns too, only registering a 65-mile range after fully topping up the other day compared with a heady 93-mile high point three months ago.

How can electricity be calculated differently? And has the car sussed my driving style?

Verdict
	Serene drive Great interior		Learning new driving and refuelling skills

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