Excerpt from Issue 370 – Spring 2025
BITING THE BULLET – MY ELECTRIC ADVENTURE WITH THE BMW I3
Ever fancied the idea of owning an electric car? Well, I did, and let me tell you, it’s been quite the ride! I hired a BMW i3 and was instantly smitten. Its quirky looks, carbon fibre chassis, and advanced engineering, combined with that addictive acceleration, made it a top contender on my bucket list. Quite a shift for someone who’s always been a petrolhead, right? Motorbikes and fast cars have been my passion since I was young. But as I found myself mostly pottering around from café to café (yes, I beat you to it, haha), an EV seemed like the perfect choice. The only catch? The cost. Even second-hand models were still pretty steep.
Then, by sheer luck, I stumbled upon a 2014 small battery model for sale in Mallorca. It was too good a chance to miss. So, plane tickets in hand, I headed off to Palma. It was love at first sight. The quirky little white and black i3 sat there on the lot, looking every bit the car I was dreaming of. After a test drive and some serious negotiation, a deal was struck. We agreed on a time to get the paperwork done and a few things sorted (new brake pads, etc.). Here’s where the cost savings of a car like this really shine. After 10 years and 125,000 kilometres, it was having its first brake pad replacement. Not due to poor maintenance, but because driving an electric car means you rarely use the brakes, relying instead on the electric motor to slow you down and regenerate power back to the battery.
The i3’s 22 kWh lithium-ion battery, weighing 204 kg, is located in the lower part of the vehicle, lowering its centre of gravity. The usable capacity is 18.8 kWh, allowing it to travel between 130 and 160 km. The ECO PRO driving mode can increase the range by 12%. After 10 years, I get around 120 km, which isn’t too bad. I charge the car using a mix of home charging and the free MELIB network in Menorca. Our recent switch to Octopus Energy for our home electric supply means my off-peak rate, from midnight to 8 am, is around 0.08 euros per kWh. This means a full charge costs 1.6 euros, usually lasting a couple of days with my pottering.
One standout feature of the car is its carbon fibre construction, making it both light and incredibly strong. The F1 guys know a thing or two about car construction!
This is just a brief introduction to my entry into the world of EV ownership. So far, I love the car, and in the next few issues, I’ll share what it’s like to own one, including charging issues, non-working outlets, and confusing payment options. But generally, it’s not too bad. I’ll end it here, but I have to say, I’ve never known anything to generate as much negative passion from people. Some folks take EVs as a personal affront to their freedom, judging by the comments I hear. It’s just a car, guys, with a different form of power delivery. Don’t always believe what you read, and think about whose interests are best served by the failure of EVs. Just a thought.
