BMW Rolls Out EV in NYC

Your local Pennsylvania BMW Dealer, Otto’s BMW in West Chester knows that auto shows are a time of unveiling. At the New York Auto Show, BMW got into the unveiling spirit when it pulled the curtain open to present its first electric car the ActivE. Along with the presentation, BMW announced it will be shipping 700 of the Electric Vehicles around the country for a long-range customer test program beginning in the fall.

Although there is plenty to admire in the entire BMW fleet, it’s clear from the company’s statements that electric vehicles are going to become a significant part of the BMW brand. In fact, the German auto maker might just be going all in on the EV as part of it major expansion plans.

“It’s the first car that we’re happy to say is 100 percent electric and 100 percent BMW at the same time,” BMW’s Aaron Singer-Englar told all who would listen on the sidelines of the New York Auto Show. During this same show, BMW also unveiled even more. This would be an iPhone and Android app called “BMW eVolve“ which is meant to spread the good word about the ActiveE and help consumers decide if the electric car would be a good fit for them.

When you talk electric car, you’re really talking battery power. With the ActiveE the battery can fully charge up in just under five hours. It will be using a 32kWh Li-ion battery pack and a dock station that is installed at the car owners’ home or garage. There’s also a 7 kW on board charger that allows for a quick 240-volt charge of the battery. This works with an active thermal management system that allows for an estimated 100-mile range in all kinds of weather. There’s also a special display which will show a driver how far they are from the nearest charging station. In terms of distance, this EV can travel about 25 miles after just one hour of charging. And it delivers 170 horsepower, and 184 pound-feet of torque.