THE BMW i3

The respective range of an electric vehicle depends on various factors such as driving style, route conditions, vehicle equipment, weather conditions and payload.

High average speeds (highway) reduce the range most significantly, while inner-city traffic leads to a higher range due to lower speed and higher recuperation shares (in contrast to vehicles with internal combustion engines). Furthermore, the range is reduced at low temperatures due to heating, and high temperatures with strong air conditioning. Regarding the special features/equipment, the selection of larger tire combinations generally reduces the range (if the aerodynamic disadvantage is not compensated for by a more closed wheel design). The rolling resistance class of tires is also relevant for the range: e.g. the use of a winter tire reduces the range compared to a Label A summer tire.

In the model selection, the communicated range is based on the WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light-Duty Test Procedure) cycle.

WLTP enables a calculation of the range under prescribed driving conditions. WLTP assumes a defensive driving style with a route mix of city streets, country roads and highways.

The range indicator enables you to estimate the range under your typical driving conditions. The outer circle represents the calculated range value based on linear distances (not the actual street map), while the inner circle shows the calculated value -30% to take the real-life routes into account. 

Setting a "sporty" driving style assumes 100% highway driving with an average speed of approximately 130 km/h and a dynamic overtaking style. The "economical" setting assumes defensive driving on country roads with an average speed of around 80 km/h. Settings in between produce a mixture of both.