The best-kept secrets of electric cars

When you think of electric cars, you probably think of saving on fuel, or perhaps an environmental benefit because of greatly reduced exhaust emissions (zero in the case of the BMW i3). The design and production process of the BMW i3 is based on sustainability, produced in a wind powered plant. The interior of the BMW i3 boasts 25% renewable raw materials and recycled plastics. It might come as no surprise that the BMW i8 was named as the 2015 World Green Car of the year (a title held by the BMW i3 in 2014).

But that’s just the start - electric car drivers know that there are other great things about this type of vehicle – and you might be amazed by some of them.

They’re the strong, silent type

An electric engine has none of the thumping and growling of a conventional internal combustion engine. In fact, the electric engine is noiseless, offering no competition to your favourite drive-time music. There’s also very little vibration, so it’s a smoother ride.

Watch this test drive video to see just how quiet a BMWi3's engine is:

They use less electricity than you think

The BMW i3 consumes a handy 12.9 kWh/100km, so you don’t have to worry about the amount of electricity an electric car takes to charge. It’s also a lot quicker than you might think: the BMW i Wallbox can charge an empty high-voltage battery to 80% in less than three hours - less than the time it takes to watch a few episodes of your favourite series.

Take a look at this cost comparison calculator to see the difference you could be seeing per month.

They aren’t high maintenance

Maintaining an electric car requires less ongoing tweaking and parts replacement than a petrol engine. Because there are fewer moving parts, the engine simply doesn’t require the same amount of TLC as a high-end internal combustion engine.

They’re fast out of the starting blocks

Electric motors reach their peak torque immediately, so from a stop to full acceleration is almost instantaneous. You’ll be first away at the traffic lights in the BMW i3 – it goes from 0 to 100km/h in 7.2 seconds.

They're everywhere!

The electric vehicle market is growing faster than you might realise. In China over 300 000 electric vehicles were sold in 2014 and thousands of Norwegians are snapping up battery-powered cars.

Still have questions? Ask the BMW i3 yourself here.