BMW deliver its first i3, enters the electric car segment

BMW, the German luxury carmaker has finally entered the electric car segment by delivering the first i3s to its German customers. The company is working seriously on its ambitious project of promoting i-brand, and it will be interesting to see whether its electric gamble will pay off.

In a special ceremony at BMW Welt, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Ian Robertson presented the keys to buyers. “Today marks a milestone in the history of the BMW Group, as we hand over our first BMW i premium electric vehicle to customers. In doing so, we are bringing sustainable mobility to the roads,” said Ian Robertson.

Over the coming months, the BMW i3 will be introduced in other European markets. In 2014, it will also be launched in the US, Japan, China and Korea. The company is also planning to introduce this vehicle for the Indian consumers, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

The BMW i3 comes equipped with a 22 kWh lithium-ion battery which powers an electric motor that churns out a maximum power output of 170bhp and 250Nm of peak torque. The vehicle accelerates to 100kmph from standstill in just 7.2 seconds, and has a top speed of 150kmph. On a single charge, the i3 can run up to 130-160km.