BMW-Mini-E Offers Lease Extension. Are you in?

After nine months, the initial excitement of being one of the first of the new breed of electric car drivers ( with appreciation to the EV1 and RAV4 drivers) is a near memory.
The lifestyle of living and driving on sunshine (literally driving on sunshine) has settled into the routine to the daily beat of normalcy fitting in perfectly with our family’s lifestyle and driving habits.

It really, really works.

The past nine months, 12,000 miles have been an absolute hoot driving the Mini-E, it is the single best, most fun car I have driven in my 32 years of driving.

BMW has been honest and fair to us and we have loved our car and our relationship with the Mini-E Field Trial program, BMW and the Mini-E have exceeded our expectations.

Today 3/10, All the Mini-E drivers were emailed a lease extension offer for 12 more months. The monthly lease payment is reduced from $850 to $600 a month and this includes the comprehensive and collision insurance, tires and snow tires, maintenance and service, no down payment, no limit on miles, no depreciation.

My prior car a 2005 Volvo S60R had a total cost of ownership at $775 a month including down payment. The Mini-E at $600 a month total cost of ownership, is now the same cost or less than a Volt or Leaf or a newer gas car.

As an example:

No down payment

$400 a month

$100 a month for fuel

$50 a month for insurance

$50 a month for tires and maintenance
$600 a month total cost.

I love the idea of another year with the Mini-E and then transitioning into the Active E if the priceing value is good, or a second model year of the Volt or Leaf having observed how they perform for 6 months.The possibiltity of another lease extension for the Mini-E exist and I am hopeful that they will let some of us drive the wheels off this car for 5 or 6 years and beyond to see where the real world battery range will be long term. That's my ideal path.

If I can share one thought with you, it is that you are going to love driving an electric car.

Am I in? are you kidding me?

I’m in. I’m loving every EV mile

Cheers
Peder

Equation for a better future

This is an Op/Ed I wrote for the San Diego Unoin Tribune.

Its mostly about Solar but does include the Mini-E.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/feb/18/equation-better-future/

Equation for a better future
EV + PV = SD>

By Peder Norby
Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 12:04 a.m.

San Diego is blessed with abundant, endless sunshine. We would be wise to use this resource accordingly.

The emerging application of the plug-in electric car coupled with new legislation that makes solar photovoltaic energy affordable and, in many cases, a net positive from day one will launch this county and state into a change in motive power and a change in the way we power our homes from consolidated sources of power (power plants, oil refineries) to distributed “in-basin” sources of power (home or business power plants) during the next few decades.

An electric vehicle in the garage charged from a solar photovoltaic system on the roof or car port equals a San Diego County that is far greater than it is today. Each, while beneficial alone, when paired together will change our county for the better.

EV (electric vehicle) + PV (photovoltaic energy) is a pairing as natural as hardware and software, as chocolate and wine, as sunshine and photosynthesis.

The county of San Diego and most cities within the county, have adopted the Property Assessed Clean Energy program (PACE). This makes solar photovoltaic systems, as well as other important energy and water saving improvements, affordable to all by allowing the financing of the improvements over many years via property taxes. With the PACE program, the savings on your utility and water bills after your improvements can equal or exceed your payment via your property tax assessment.



How does this make San Diego County greater than it is today?

Fifty-five percent of our total man-made emissions in the region come from our personal transportation. Twelve percent come from our homes. Imagine a county and state in which our autos and our homes are powered by affordable sunshine. No emissions, a fixed cost as opposed to ever increasing bills, cheaper than your current utility bill and much cheaper (50 cents a gallon of gas equivalent) than your current gasoline bill for your car.

Land use and planning in our county is largely centered on our transportation systems. These emerging clean energy systems and cars will “evolutionize” our planning efforts, resulting in a better San Diego County.

It you are a bit skeptical, who can blame you? I ask that you consider our experience.

We live and drive on sunshine. We generate 12,000 kilowatt hours of energy with our solar photovoltaic stem. Our experimental car uses 3,000 kilowatt hours and our home uses 9,000 kilowatt hours per year.

For the past 30 months, we have powered our home nearly completely with solar photovoltaic energy. In just a short three years more, our system will be fully paid off – paid off with the same money we used to pay San Diego Gas & Electric and our local OPEC-supplied gas station.

From then on, our energy use for our home and our cars is essentially free.

For the past 11,000 miles, we have been field trial drivers for BMW, driving a fully electric MINI E powered by local sunshine all over San Diego, Orange and Riverside counties.

In less than a year, General Motors and Nissan will be offering similar plug-in electric cars. The year after that, Ford and Toyota, and by 2012 most of the major manufactures will have some variety of electric plug-in vehicles including popular SUVs.

In this short time frame we will all have a choice on how we power our homes and our cars. No longer will we be chained to OPEC every few hundred miles. No longer will we be chained to a utility’s power plant to produce the energy we consume. We will have a choice to produce our own energy for our own homes, businesses and cars.

We will have a choice whether we continue being dependent on foreign governments and OPEC for gasoline, or realize and honor our forefathers’ wish for an independent country by generating our own electric energy from an endless local resource, sunshine.

We will have a choice weather to convey a cleaner, emission-free San Diego County to future generations who will inherit this earth from us, or give them a world more polluted as our parting gift.

In San Diego County we have 1.4 million homes and 3 million automobiles. We have a choice on how we power both.

San Diego is blessed with abundant, endless sunshine. We would be wise to use this resource accordingly.

Norby is a San Diego County planning commissioner. He and his wife, Julie, were awarded the 2007 SANDEE Award from the California Center for Sustainable Energy for the home they built in Carlsbad.

Mini-E #183, 10,000 miles on Sunshine, UC Davis Reports First EV Study Findings

My marvelous journey into the future continues.

This past Sunday January 24th 2010, after 7 full months in Mini-E # 183, I passed 10,000 miles on the ODO.

Pause a second and think about this. 10,000 miles in a fun hot car powered only by sunshine.

Game changer? I think so!

The car is incredible and the best thing I can say about driving #183 is that it has settled into an entirely normal routine as a super fun and responsive daily driver accomplishing 100% of my driving task. The best attributes are the shear fun of driving the car, the times saved by not going to the gas station, the fact that its 100% charged and ready to go every time I hop in, and the $1800 a year I am saving on gas by powering the car with sunshine. The drawbacks, no rear seat which is a minor drawback and that’s about it.

Even the lease payment of around $800 a month while at first glance high, for me is pretty consistent with my other cars that I have had. A $450 car payment, $100 on maintenance (service tires, brakes) $130 a month on gas and $60 a month on collision and auto insurance, all of which are included in the lease of the Mini-E. I do look forward to the electric cars reducing in price and I acknowledge that I am paying a premium as an early adopter. Again for me its really not that much if any of a premium.

One of the joys of this journey is not only personally understanding and gaining knowledge as to if the electric car will work for myself and my family (passes on all fronts, you can really drive on sunshine!) but also to share this collective knowledge of 600 drivers with others interested in the electric car future.

No doubt that future will consist of many options in electric drive ranging from Hybrids to Plug in Hybrids to Range Extended Hybrids to Battery Electric cars to Fuel Cells.

BMW has reported on some of its findings to date in this 600 car field study. As a Mini-E driver I was one of 57 who also participated in an extensive study by UC Davis, the results of that study are ongoing but the first information on that study has been posted.

There are some pretty big surprises in the reports that counter commonly held beliefs such as range anxiety being a big issue, public charging being a major issue and the majority of drivers needing additional charging.

My personal experience is consistent with the majority of the report. I reported an average range under all conditions of 90 miles per charge and a daily drive of 40 miles.

You can read these reports at the following links.

BMW Presentation

BMW Field Trial Report

The County of San Diego and many of its 18 cities have also adopted a PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) program that will allow home owners to finance capital improvements that are energy and water related in their property tax bill over 20 years.

Below is link for information on that program, you will want to read the last page where I compare fueling cost in a graph format.

Norby Presentation on PACE Program.

Cheers!

Peder, #183

Charts for Cost of Solar Fuel

I have received a good number of off line emails asking me how I arrived at the incredibly low cost per gallon equivalents for an electric car powered by solar. As a basis for comparison, I used the average miles traveled by a car in the U.S. and the average fuel economy for cars and SUV's in the U.S.

below are some charts which I hope will help explain. (Hint, if you click on the charts they enlarge)



The above graph is the cost of fuel paying cash for driving a 20 mpg gasoline car for 12,000 miles a year. Fuel cost is $3.00 a gallon increasing at 5% a year. This increase is historically the same increase as the last 25 years from 1985 to 2010.


This next chart is the cost of solar fuel if you were to pay cash. Of note is that the total cost of the system is equal to 4.25 years of paying fuel cost in the 20mpg gasoline car.

The Mini-E gets 3.50 miles per KWH. To drive 12,000 miles a year on solar energy I need to generate 3500kwh. In Southern California that is a 2kw Solar PV. System. My install that I did 4 months ago came out to a net cost after fed tax credit of $4,000 per kw or $8000 for a 2kw system. This is roughly the system cost estimate from b.p. solar as well.
Assumed is a $2200 inverter replacement at year 12.


This next chart is the cost of solar fuel if you were to finance the purchase on a PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) program.

The Mini-E gets 3.50 miles per KWH. To drive 12,000 miles a year on solar energy I need to generate 3500kwh. In Southern California that is a 2kw Solar PV. System. My install that I did 4 months ago came out to a net cost after fed tax credit of $4,000 per kw or $8000 for a 2kw system. This is roughly the system cost estimate from b.p. solar as well.

Conclusion:

I am only comparing the cost of fuel vs. the cost of solar energy. No attempt is made to account for the cost of batteries whether they are life of vehicle or need to be replaced every 7 years. Nor is an attempt made to calculate the cost of replacement engines, transmissions, brake jobs, tune ups and other cost associated with a gas car.

Your results will vary depending on your sunshine profile and where you are located as system cost can vary by location. But if you're in the sunshine belt the above graphs should come very close for most people.

On a KWH generation basis Solar is essential 1/8th the cost of gas for me to drive for the next 25 years+. This equals $0.38 cents a gallon of gas equivalent. It is also a fixed price and protects me against spikes and inflation.

On a cost basis solar is $0.20 cents a gallon of gas equivalent as I only need to generate 1750kwh at peak time (30 cents per KHW) to pay for the usage of 3500kwh of off peak charging (14 cents per KWH)

That's my world, that's my real world experience.

Cheers
Peder

Solar fuel for electric cars, does it work?

January 3rd, 2010.

8:00 am, our breakfast outside.

If you're an east coast Mini-E driver, try not to look at the picture.

Solar fuel for electric cars, does it work?
As long as the sun rises the answer is you betcha!

This writing departs from my driving experiences with Mini-E #183 and focuses in on my fueling experiences with my electric cars.

In 2009, I drove 12,500 miles in electric cars powered only by sunshine. 9500 miles in Mini-E #183 in just 7 months, and 3000 miles in the Gem E4. My New Years Reso was that I am done with gas period.

It has been a no compromise alternative to the gas cars of my past and has helped motivate me to create a more efficient non polluting source of renewable fuel in the form of a solar P.V. station on our roof for both our cars and our home. It has also been a far more enjoyable driving experience behind the wheel of the electric cars.

Try putting an oil well and refinery on your roof , if you get that far, try making them non polluting.

I believe that the emerging application of the plug in electric car coupled with new legislation in California that makes solar a net positive from day one for most people, as compared to purchasing electricity from utilities, will launch this county, then the state, then the country into a change in motive power and a change in the way we power our homes from consolidated sources of power (power plants, oil refineries) to distributed grid connected "in basin" sources of power (home or business power plants) during the next decade.

A power plant and a gas station in every home and commercial property. Fuel from the sun, captured and conveyed the 30 feet from the roof to your panel to the 220 volt 40 amp outlet, to the electron port (Or do we still call it a gas cap?) on your Leaf, Volt, BMW Active E, Plug in Prius, Ford Focus EV, Karma, Tesla, Think and the many other electric cars.

Solar PV works in California. System payoffs range from 6 to 12 years for house use and 3 to 6 years for auto use ( vs. gas at $3.00 a gal.) using the same money you pay to your utility company or gas station now.

The barriers are that it has high upfront cost and people move every few years thus are not willing to make the long term investment..

San Diego County last month voted to join other counties and cities through the League of California City’s and the League of Counties to enact a PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) program.

Prior to this PACE Program you had to use a second home loan, a line of credit, credit cards or cash to pay for a Solar P.V. system. This relegated solar to the affluent few that can afford to pay for this. Good for the weathy 5% but unattainable for the other 95% of the population

What we needed to do was to make this work for every homeowner or commercial property owner. The major issue is that people tend to move every five years, don’t want to make the big investment as it is not their final home and the upfront cost.

People move every five years on average but buildings don’t. Financing Solar PV on the building rather than the person is the key.

The San Diego County program enables individual property owners both commercial and residential to finance renewable energy projects on their property tax bill over 20 years as opposed to their own personal credit. In most cases the increase in a property tax bill will be offset by an equal or greater savings on their electric bill. This saving grows over the years as the cost remains fixed for the solar PV homeowner but energy cost from the utilities rise every year for the non solar PV home owner.

Other benefits are that the system installs require no out of pocket expenses, and that property taxes are tax deductible, your utility bills and gas station purchase are not.

In my real world experience, owning solar PV systems on my home and driving electric cars over 12000 mile in 2009, solar fuel from a home PV System powering an electric car will range from 25 to 75cents a gallon equivalent to gasoline fixed for the lifetime of your PV System. For me its 40 cents a gallon of solar fuel equivilent.

It begins in California, and will spread to other sunshine states and eventually the entire country. Solar PV is most cost effective in the sunshine belt to be sure, but technology advances.

That’s disruptive and it will change our EVWorld.

Cheers!

Peder
Mini-E # 183

Our live solar production graph

Mini-E #183, Proud parent of the next generation.

There is a feeling driving Mini-E #183 of absolute responsive performance.

Responsive performance that I have yet to find in any car I have driven in the past 32 years . Instantaneous inputs for acceleration and deceleration and of course, the Mini cornering and fun factor.

I’m 8000 miles and six months into this field test of Mini-E #183 and without trying to be over dramatic, I am living and driving in the future, today.

A future so bright, powered by that big yellow ball in the sky.

Never in my life have I felt so passionate, so optimistic about the change in front of our world. Environmentally, economically and socially, a change so large it dwarfs the Wright bothers at Kitty Hawk, Henry Ford and the Model T and the communications revolution of the past 30 years.

Mini-E has a new progeny on the way. I'm a proud Papa of sorts!

I can only hope that my experience as a pioneer will have a chapter two in this vehicle.

Paraphrasing (or plagiarizing) a popular song ;

Please don’t take my sunshine car away.

Bravo BMW!

Cheers
Peder #183

The BMW Concept ActiveE

The next chapter in BMW's project i Megacity Vehicle research initiative.Woodcliff Lake, NJ – December 16, 2009, 6pm EST...

Introducing the BMW Concept ActiveE, the latest electric vehicle project under BMW Group's initiative to produce vehicles that explore solutions to minimize environmental impacts while preserving the kinetic driving experience for which BMW has long been known.

The BMW Concept ActiveE follows the all-electric MINI E as the second large-scale electric vehicle test program to be conducted in the hands of interested customers.The BMW Group presents yet another milestone along the way to achieving CO2-free mobility. The BMW Concept ActiveE provides a taste of a purely electrically powered BMW. Focused on the requirements of practical use, the study is based on the BMW 1 Series Coupe and embodies the outstanding agility and characteristic driving pleasure of the 1 Series for the first time as part of an emissions-free drive concept.With the world premiere of the BMW Concept ActiveE at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2010 in Detroit, the BMW Group is highlighting the continuation of its research and development activities in the field of electro-mobility.

The field tests with the MINI E as part of project i in the US and Europe have already provided important insights into the demands required of future production electric vehicles. As a second step, project i has begun development of a second trial fleet of electric vehicles based on the BMW Concept ActiveE. These vehicles are likewise intended for everyday use by private and select fleet customers as part of a large-scale field test. The insights gathered in the process will be fed into the development of an electrically powered serial production vehicle which the BMW Group will put on the market under a sub-brand of BMW in the first half of the next decade.

The BMW Concept ActiveE has allowed BMW to explore new vehicle packaging solutions and components which will be crucial to the success of the Megacity Vehicle. The intelligent integration of drive components within the existing vehicle package of the BMW 1 Series Coupe offers the opportunity to provide four full-size seats and a luggage compartment with a capacity of 200 litres / 7 cu ft. The motor, specially developed for the model and located in the rear axle, delivers 125 kW/170 hp and provides maximum torque of 250 Nm / 184 lb-ft. It accelerates the vehicle in less than 9 seconds from zero to 100 km/h (0-60 mph in approx. 8.5 seconds).The electric drive system draws its energy from new, advanced lithium-ion battery pack developed jointly by BMW and the co-operation partner SB LiMotive especially for the BMW Concept ActiveE. They enable a range of approx. 160 kilometres (100 miles) in everyday use. An intelligent battery management system helps achieve this range largely independently of external climatic conditions.

Additionally, the charging period required for the lithium-ion batteries is very short. On the European power grid, the battery pack can be fully charged in just 3 hours at a wall box with a current of 50 ampere at 230/240 volts. In North America, using a high-current (32 ampere continuous) residential wall box, the charge time is about 4.5 hours.Innovative technology for sheer driving pleasure without CO2 emissions.The BMW Concept ActiveE embodies a whole new dimension of purely electrically powered mobility. The dynamic potential and high torque of the drive system, along with the rear-wheel drive which is a hallmark of the brand, guarantees the characteristic sheer driving pleasure which is typical of BMW – but without any CO2 emissions. An impressive range of functions and a high level of suitability for everyday use are additional features of this concept, which defines electro-mobility in true BMW style.

The BMW Group attaches key importance to electro-mobility in the development of future-oriented vehicle concepts and drive systems as part of its EfficientDynamics strategy. In the medium term, BMW Group is developing innovative vehicle concepts for emissions-free mobility in urban areas. This so-called Megacity Vehicle will also be offered with an electrical drivetrain. The BMW Concept ActiveE represents a further step towards the realization of this concept. Components of the vehicle may be developed further for later integration into the Megacity Vehicle.Electric drive: emissions-free, powerful and compact.

The BMW Concept ActiveE offers the prospect of characteristic BMW driving pleasure without exhaust emissions. The requirements for electro-mobility with characteristic BMW properties are being created based on ongoing development in the powertrain. The latest outcome is a new synchronous electric motor tailored to the BMW Concept ActiveE. It offers a high level of efficiency, power delivery, and compact construction.The maximum output of the new electric drive is 125 kW/170 hp.

The maximum torque of 250 Nm / 184 lb-ft is available from a standstill as is typical for electric motors. The torque remains available over an unusually broad load range. Unlike asynchronous electric motors, the new power unit provides a relatively high level of torque even at higher engine speeds and road speeds; at increased load the torque is not reduced abruptly but decreases gradually. The torque curve at higher engine speeds is therefore much more similar to the pattern familiar from combustion engines.The vehicle concept and drive system provide the agility and dynamic acceleration performance which are characteristic of the BMW 1 Series Coupe. Based on realistic simulations, a figure of less than 9 seconds was measured for the sprint from zero to 100 km/h (0-60 miles in 8.5 seconds), with the 60 km/h mark being reached after less than 4.5 seconds. The maximum speed of the vehicle is electronically limited at around 145 km/h or 90 mph.The innovative character of the electric drive is also reflected in the optimized ratio between engine output and space requirements: the compact power package is fully integrated in the rear axle of the BMW Concept ActiveE.

Here the drive system occupies the space required in conventional vehicles by the differential, whose function is integrated in the drive system.Recuperation of energy increases range.In the purely electric powered BMW, the driver may control deceleration as well as acceleration through the movement of the accelerator pedal. As soon as the driver's foot is removed from the accelerator, the electric motor performs the function of a generator, converting the vehicle's kinetic energy into electric power and storing it in the battery pack.

Intensive use of this so-called energy recuperation process by the motor increases the range by up to 20%.At the same time, a brake torque is created which results in effective deceleration of the vehicle. This response enables a very comfortable driving style, especially at medium and constantly varying speeds. In urban traffic, some 75 percent of all deceleration manoeuvres are initiated without the need for the brake pedal. During Brake Energy Regeneration function, the vehicle's brake lights are illuminated.This brake effect acts on the rear wheels only.

When the driver requires a higher level of deceleration, stepping on the brake pedal engages the conventional hydraulic braking system. If an emergency braking maneuver is required during braking, the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system applies selective braking and motor management measures to ensure that safe braking is always guaranteed.The brake system is fitted with an electric vacuum pump which is activated on demand.

Along with the Electric Power Steering (EPS) familiar from the production models of the BMW 1 Series, these features contribute to an increase in the overall efficiency of the vehicle.Innovative lithium-ion battery pack with its own liquid cooling.The lithium-ion battery pack specially developed for this vehicle supplies energy to the motor and all other functions of the BMW Concept ActiveE. The high-voltage battery units offer a particularly high storage capacity and durability. For the first time, storage cells are used which were developed especially for use in automobiles by the BMW Group in collaboration with the co-operation partner SB LiMotive. Powerful battery cells are key when it comes to designing production vehicles with electric drive. Through the collaboration of the BMW Group with a joint venture of the companies Bosch and Samsung SDI [SB LiMotive], leading expertise in the area of battery technology and electro-mobility has been brought together. The aim is to use the best available technology in the area of energy storage as part of the development of the Megacity Vehicle.

For some time now, lithium-ion technology has demonstrated its particularly high storage capacity and deep-cycle resistance - for example in mobile phones and laptops. The technological expertise of SB LiMotive ensures that these properties are retained even under the special conditions of use in an automobile and the relevant demands in terms of durability, endurance and safety.The lithium-ion batteries of the BMW Concept ActiveE have their own liquid cooling system and intelligent battery management system, which are key elements in increasing both the storage capacity and the durability of the battery cells.

These systems also ensure that the long range can be maintained largely independent of external climatic conditions. The high storage capacity is the decisive factor in achieving as long a range as possible. The storage system developed for the BMW Concept ActiveE enables a real-world range of about 160 km / 100 miles on a single charge, depending on conditions (FTP72 cycle range is calculated to be 240 km / 150 miles in simulation).Modular structure, compact construction, space-saving integration.Another special feature of the battery pack is its outstanding compactness, despite its output and capacity.

The arrangement of battery cells, grouped into several modules, is ideal in terms of packaging, functionality and vehicle balance. The battery pack is located where a combustion engine and fuel tank would normally be located. The largest portion of the battery pack in the BMW Concept ActiveE is located where the conventional propshaft and fuel tank would be in the lower section of the vehicle. In addition, a portion of the battery pack is located where the combustion engine would normally reside. Using intelligent lightweight design and the highly-efficient lithium-ion battery cells, vehicle curb weight is limited to about 1800 kg / 3900 lbs.Characteristic BMW driving experience, space of a BMW 1 Series Coupe.

The positioning of the battery pack shifts the vehicle's center of gravity downwards. Also, the battery cell layout within the vehicle preserves the near 50-50 weight distribution characteristic of BMW vehicles. In this respect, the BMW Concept ActiveE offers ideal conditions for driving experience characterized by a high level of agility.In terms of the space available in the interior, the BMW Concept ActiveE has no disadvantage compared to the BMW 1 Series Coupe with conventional combustion engine.

It offers four full-size seats with the same measures of head, leg and shoulder space.The optimum positioning of the power electronics above the motor integrated in the rear axle, for reasons of safety and functionality, results in a reduction of trunk capacity. Nonetheless, the BMW Concept ActiveE still has a luggage compartment which provides considerable versatility in everyday use. With a volume of approx. 200 litres / 7 cu ft, it even exceeds the trunk capacity of the BMW 1 Series Convertible with an open top and can hold two 46-inch golf bags, for example.Reliable and safe: power electronics control and monitor vehicle functions.

The power electronics of the BMW Concept ActiveE regulate the supply of electrical current to the motor at the required amperage and voltage. It also controls the supply of energy to the vehicle power network. By means of a voltage transformer and an intelligent battery management system, a reliable supply of power to all vehicle functions is ensured, including the comfort and entertainment features familiar from the production model of the BMW 1 Series. Drive components, energy supply, and battery pack comply with the integral safety standards for electric vehicles as defined by the BMW Group.Central monitoring functions integrated both in the power electronics and the battery pack ensure the continuous monitoring of all components.

The driver is immediately informed of malfunctions and if necessary there is an automatic system discharge and shutdown. Modern charging technology: fresh energy both swiftly and flexibly.The consistent development of serial production vehicles with electric drive also includes innovative solutions for flexible, user-friendly charging of the energy storage systems in the vehicle in a way which is appropriate to everyday use. The lithium-ion battery pack of the BMW Concept ActiveE can be recharged using a range of different power sources. This means that the vehicle is not dependent on a specific charging station and energy of varying power levels can be fed into the battery pack according to availability. Any conversion required is taken care of by the high-performance battery control system.

This gives the driver considerably greater flexibility in using the vehicle. In addition to using a high amperage wall box – a supply system installed in the user's home optimized to reduce charging times– it is also possible to use conventional power outlets or publicly accessible charging stations made available in co-operation with energy suppliers. In this way, stopovers can be used to extend the travel range of the vehicle when needed.The lithium-ion batteries of the BMW Concept ActiveE set a new benchmark for energy storage systems in electric vehicles. Regardless of the voltage and amperage available, they build up a remarkably high energy capacity within a very short time.

On the European power grid, the battery pack can be fully charged in just 3 hours at a wall box with a current of 50 ampere at 230/240 volts. In North America, using a high-current (32 ampere continuous), 220 volts residential wall box, the charge time is about 4.5 hours.Innovative comfort features: auxiliary heating and auxiliary air conditioning complete with remote control.In conjunction with the powerful battery technology, the concept of a purely electrically powered vehicle presents additional opportunities for the integration of innovative comfort features. For the BMW Concept ActiveE, a special heating and air conditioning system was developed which is supplied with energy from the high-voltage battery via the vehicle power network.

The fact that the heating system and air conditioning compressor are electrically powered means that the desired temperature can be provided inside the vehicle even when it is stationary.The driver can heat or cool the interior before a trip using the auxiliary heating or air conditioning system – an option which is available when the vehicle is connected to a charging station and the battery is fully charged. This ensures that the range is not reduced by the comfort function, but in fact increased.

The reason for this is that the energy required for heating or cooling the vehicle with an existing connection to the power supply does not need to be drawn from the battery during travel.The climate control systems developed for the BMW Concept ActiveE can also be activated via mobile phone. This option also includes a timer function so the driver can ensure that the vehicle is conveniently pre-cooled or pre-heated before getting into it in the morning, for example. Climatic pre-conditioning optimizes not only ride comfort but also the operating status of the energy storage system in the sense that it maximises the range of the vehicle. The control of the heating and air conditioning system by mobile phone is made available through BMW ConnectedDrive.

The BMW Concept ActiveE demonstrates the extensive range of options for using these services with the full integration of a smartphone connection into the vehicle infotainment system.Specific remote control functions via BMW ConnectedDrive.In addition to the intelligent remote controlled operation of the auxiliary heating and air conditioning, BMW ConnectedDrive offers additional services specially developed for the BMW Concept ActiveE. The main focus here is on the user-friendly and practically oriented relay of precise information on the condition of the vehicle. No matter how far he is from the vehicle, the driver can obtain details of the charge status of the lithium-ion battery and the range of travel this permits. The remote control functions also provide support in searching for a nearby public charging station.The configuration of the remote control functions is specifically oriented to use scenarios arising in everyday traffic.

For example, the driver can go shopping or eat at a restaurant while the vehicle is supplied with electrical current at a charging station. Within a very short time the driver can obtain information on the current charge status of the batteries by mobile phone. The driver can also determine how much charging time is required for the batteries to achieve sufficient energy capacity for the trip home, thus allowing other activities to be planned. Providing sufficient charge is available, the driver can also activate the heating and air conditioning during an excursion when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is connected to the power supply. In this way a pleasant temperature can be generated inside the car within just a few minutes and in good time before setting off.Additional trips can also be conveniently prepared using the innovative remote control functions.

For example, the driver can check the charge status of the vehicle batteries and the currently available travel range while at his workplace or sitting in a café. This makes it quick and convenient to find out whether an additional trip can be made before driving home before the energy supply runs out. The driver gains additional flexibility in being able to search for public charging stations in the vicinity of any given location. Based on the information relayed to the mobile phone, he can quickly determine whether a spontaneously planned stopover can be used to charge the vehicle batteries.Design: unmistakably a BMW 1 Series Coupe.The technology of the BMW Concept ActiveE is highlighted through unique design features. The BMW Concept ActiveE is unmistakably based on the BMW 1 Series Coupe, well-known for its outstanding agility and efficiency. With its powerful proportions, the BMW Concept ActiveE also embodies an especially sporty form.

Its side view is dominated by the striking shoulder line and the short overhangs. In addition, the BMW Concept ActiveE boasts striking light alloy wheels which are aerodynamically optimized. The distinctive appearance is partly created by the concept-specific rear apron which is completely closed, demonstrating that the vehicle is entirely emissions-free due to the lack of an exhaust system. There is a recognisable differentiation from the production model of the BMW 1 Series Coupe with the body finish in Liquid White metallic, as well as graphic elements derived from printed circuits in Electric Blue on the hood, doors, roof and trunk lid, as well as the lettering "ActiveE", "eDrive" and "Efficient Dynamics" on the doors and side panels.

The following elements also reflect the special character of this electrically powered vehicle: a blue illuminated charging connection behind a translucent filler cap, a glowing blue roof fin and kidney rods finished in blue. Blue rings on the tyres also make for a visual enlargement of the 18-inch wheels.In the interior, individual details highlight the distinctive style of the study and are functionally associated with the electric drive. Among other things, the interior of the BMW Concept ActiveE has special leather seats with embossed graphic elements and blue contrasting stitching.

The instrument panel and door trim panels have strips in Liquid White. The decor strip in the instrument panel is finished with a three-dimensional rear-lit ActiveE graphic. The blue illuminated start/stop button and the selector lever knob emblem in White/Blue round off the overall graphic concept. What is more, the instrument panel and the central display have been enhanced to monitor the electric drive.Instead of the tachometer there is a battery capacity display in the instrument panel. The current charge status of the battery pack is shown in percent. There is also a second instrument which shows how much current is being drawn from the battery as well as the amount of energy being fed back into the battery from Brake Energy Regeneration.In addition to the familiar features, the central information display also has a battery level indicator, an active system status display function and the positions of the nearest electric charging stations.

Inside the trunk, an illuminated plexiglass screen provides a view of the power electronics of the electrical drivetrain. The charge cable is housed conveniently in an additional storage compartment between the left-hand wheel arch and the power electronics.A future-oriented technology which runs across all brands: electro-mobility as a mainstay of EfficientDynamics.With the BMW Concept ActiveE, the BMW Group demonstrates the continuation of its project i research and development activities geared towards achieving emissions-free mobility independent of fossil fuels.

For the first time, the concept of a purely electrically powered vehicle is combined with the characteristics of a BMW 1 Series Coupe.The BMW Group is developing electro-mobility as an additional central mainstay of its EfficientDynamics strategy. Electric drive provides an additional option for individual mobility, alongside the ongoing optimization of the pure combustion engine, the market launch of BMW ActiveHybrid technology in production vehicles and the BMW Hydrogen 7 as evidence of the suitability of hydrogen drive for everyday use.Project i brings together the BMW Group's activities relating to the development of production vehicles with electric drive.

The focus is on the conception of a productionMegacity Vehicle which fulfils the requirements of a sustainable mobility solution for urban areas, with one option being electric drive.With project i, the BMW Group is carrying out a unique worldwide field test in the use of electrically-powered vehicles in everyday traffic. The MINI E, of which some 600 were produced, is currently being used by private customers in the states of California, New York and New Jersey as well as at several European locations. This pilot project aims to gather important insights into user behaviour, the requirements of the vehicle concept, its specifically electric components and the energy supply infrastructure.The BMW Concept ActiveE creates a basis for the expansion and intensification of this field testing on electro-mobility, oriented towards enabling large-scale production in the future.

The aim is to produce a fleet to a scale which will exceed that of the MINI E.With its extended range of functions, including four seats, an intelligent arrangement of the ActiveE technology and dynamic qualities provided not least by the rear-wheel drive which is so characteristic of BMW, the concept vehicle reflects a new approach while remaining loyal to BMW brand values. The components of the electric drive system have been designed bearing in mind the requirements of a future Megacity Vehicle so as to advance the development of a production vehicle. The BMW Concept ActiveE moves a little closer towards the future of an individual mobility which will combine driving pleasure with CO2-free travel.BMW Group In AmericaBMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003.

The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 89 MINI passenger car dealers, and 31 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet

at:www.bmwgroupna.com
http://www.bmwusanews.com/
www.press.bmw-motorsport.com

Mini-E #183, Driving with 390 Volts in a Rainstorm!

Don’t use your hair dryer while in the shower seems to be a wise suggestion for someone who wishes to live a long life, DUH!

How about riding in a machine with 390 volts running through its arteries in a driving rainstorm, splashing waves of water driving through giant pool size puddles with 35kw of hi voltage batteries 6 inches behind your butt?

It requires a bit of trust of those who engineered the Mini-E, I question my sanity!

Actually, I did not even think about it until a friend asked if I left my electric car home today because of the rain. He mentioned the terrible news story it would be if someone is electrocuted in their hi voltage electric car.

Mini-E #183 is approaching 8000 miles in just over 5 months of everyday driving. This is the first really big wet weather test for me and the car passed with flying colors.

Shocking, it was not.

In pouring rain, 50mph winds, huge puddles on Hwy 101 in Leucadia, and about 40 miles of driving, no problems.

I little jolt of electricity now and then through the steering wheel but I liken it to a cup of coffee, Electricity like caffeine keeps you awake. Just kidding!

I remember stalling in gas cars in the rain or driving through puddles as the distributor got wet, but It looks like they have the electric cars, at least the Mini-E’s pretty well dialed in.

Mini-E #183, Still the best and most fun car I have driven in 32 years.

The future is sunny and electric, today was really wet.

Cheers
Peder