Quote:
Originally Posted by Ecky
Pretty sure the i3 would get significantly better mileage if they had upsized the gas engine a bit, I doubt it's a very efficient mill, the 650cc scooter engine they used isn't going to be 40% thermally efficient pushing around a 3000lb car. You'd of course have to make the car a little larger, or reduce passenger space a bit. Otherwise the rest of the work is basically done.
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The gas engine is meant to be used very little in the i3, which seems crazy to me because building things with the intention of rarely using them is very inefficient. I'd never opt for the hybrid version of the i3. I'd use EV mode for the trips in which it was designed to accomplish, and take a more suitable vehicle for everything else, even if the i3 was my only vehicle. It would be extremely easy to trade a cool Bimmer with a friend for their ICE vehicle over a weekend.