Electric BMW 1 Series

Following 2009’s Mini E, BMW has announced its second all-electric car. Based on the 1 Series Coupé, the BMW ActiveE is powered by an electric motor that produces 165 bhp (123 kW / 168 PS) and maximum torque of 250 Nm (184 lb/ft).



That’s sufficient to get the ActiveE from rest to 62 mph (100 km/h) in nine seconds - surprisingly sluggish for an electric car, given the instant torque that’s usually available. Top speed is limited to 90 mph (144 km/h), undoubtedly in the interests of preserving battery charge.

Whereas the Mini E lost its rear seats and a big chunk of boot space to its battery pack, the ActiveE retains the same four-seat accommodation as a ‘normal’ 1 Series Coupé. Luggage capacity shrinks from 370 to 200 litres though, thanks to a rear-mounted electric motor and control unit. The liquid cooled lithium-ion batteries meanwhile take the spaces previously occupied by the fuel tank, transmission and engine.

BMW has said that the ActiveE will have a range of 100 miles (160 kilometres). In an effort to maximise the time between recharges, the ActiveE’s accelerator has an intermediate position that allows it to ‘glide’ using its own kinetic energy. Also, when the driver takes their foot completely off the accelerator pedal, the motor becomes a generator that sends charge to the battery while creating braking torque to slow the car down.



When the inevitable range anxiety sets in, Eco Pro mode can be selected. This turns down the heating and air con and sends less energy to the electric motor, all to help the batteries last longer. The situation can be monitored via the battery charge and energy use dials, which replace the conventional fuel gauge and rev counter.



The ActiveE will make its first appearance at next month’s Geneva International Motor Show, but it won’t be entering series production. Rather, just over 1,000 examples will be built for field trials in Europe, the United States and China, with feedback being used for the BMW Megacity Vehicle project.



As with the Mini E, BMW UK is planning to lease the ActiveE to a limited number of customers who will have to apply to participate in the programme. There’s no word yet on the monthly cost, but seeing as it was £330 for the Mini E, don’t expect the ActiveE’s payments to be any less than that.