BMW has been lagging behind other carmakers by not having solid plans for a mass production electric vehicle. There have been auto show concepts and there's the Mini E conversion, but that's about it. The European Federation for Transport and Environment even called out the automaker recently for not doing enough to meet new EU emissions targets (130 grams of CO2 per kilometer by 2015).
Well, that's finally changing. BMW has announced that it's investing $560 million by 2013 to develop and produce an EV.
The BMW plant in Leipzig, Germany will be expanded to produce the new vehicle, which is currently being called Megacity. BMW will of course be using its luxury car expertise and materials in this new car. The head of BMW has said that this will be the first production model "with a carbon fiber passenger compartment" to lighten the weight while retaining strength and resistance -- and keep up the cost.
That's about where the details end for now. It is being called a series model, so we'll have to wait and see where this vehicle falls in the BMW range.
via AFP
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written by Asaf Shalgi, November 06, 2010
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written by big nasty, November 08, 2010
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013359742_gregoire06.html
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written by John, November 10, 2010
The only benefit from its use is to reduce weight in a vehicle. It is greener to reduce fuel consumption by reducing the power output of the engine.
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NOV 05
"Carbon fibre is strong and light but it certainly is not green. It is..."
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