BMW ActiveE Marks Launch on Road
Tom and Meredith Moloughney, the original testers of the Mini E in 2009, were handed over the keys of the new BMW ActiveE marking a new journey of BMW EVs. The BMW Group’s electro-mobility development strategy began with the MINI E Field Trial in the summer of 2009. The MINI E pioneers proved beyond doubt that not only could an EV in daily commutation be done, but doing so required no change in their daily routine too, with the exception of plugging-in instead of stopping at the gas station.
No one has ever proved the viability of an EV as a daily transportation vehicle more conclusively than the Moloughneys. The ActiveE has a special Eco Pro Mode that provides increased range.
By throwing in a switch, the vehicle’s characteristics are changed. The accelerator will deliver less power and the heating and air conditioning systems will use less energy. The system also provides the driver with additional tips on how to drive in the most energy-efficient manner.
The heart of the ActiveE is a permanent-magnet synchronous motor that develops 170 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque. It can go from zero to 60 mph in under nine seconds and its range is 100 miles on a full charge of its newly-developed lithium-ion batteries.
The entire power pack that includes power electronics and transmission with differential is integrated into the car’s modified rear-axle support. BMW refers to its ActiveE customers as Electronauts and BMW will deliver ActiveEs to 699 additional Electronauts in the coming weeks.
The ActiveE is being offered in Boston, Hartford, Los Angeles, New York City, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco for $499 per month for a 24-month lease, on a down payment of $2,250.
