BMW India, the Indian arm of the German luxury automobile manufacturer BMW is planning to launch an electric car in the Indian car market in 2014. The new car named as BMW i3 will sport a 125kw electric motor which runs on lithium ion batteries and is capable of covering 150 kilometers on a single charge.
The new electric car has a top speed of 150 kilometers per hour and accelerates from 0 – 100 kilometers per hour in 7.9 seconds. It includes numerous features which contribute to making it an eco-friendly vehicle. The body shell of the car is made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) which is placed on an all aluminium rolling chassis, weighing the car at less than 1200 kilograms. The interiors of the car use recycled plastic, natural fibers and wood.
The electric i3 will be the first car to be launched by BMW i, a sub-brand of BMW which makes vehicles that use electricity for propulsion. The new electric car will be imported into India as a completely built unit making it a costly proposition for Indian customers given the high taxes imposed on CBUs in India.