BMW announces Megacity hybrid-electric vehicles

Posted on March 21st, 2009 by Patrick Westbrook | Posted under: BMW, Electric cars, Future/Concept

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Mini E BMW’s Mini E program looks to be a success as over 1,800 people have applied for the lease, which costs $850 a month and will be available to only 450 chosen ones.

Now BMW has confirmed that the company is planning a new line of low zero-emission vehicles called Megacity in the very near future.

Megacity line-up will include both full electric and high-efficiency gasoline vehicles.

According to BMW Chairman Norbert Reithofer customers will have a choice between a fully electric drive and a high efficiency combustion engine. Production could start already beginning of the next decade.

Currently BMW has not revealed any details how the car might look. Some of the rumors are that BMW might bring back the Isetta marque for Megacity line-up.

At the same time Mr. Reithofer is not too optimistic about electric cars saying that: “It will take years and years before electric cars will be a common sight on our roads”

Problem with today’s electric cars is that they don’t meet all the different mobility demands and offer limited range. Surely you can charge the batteries but it will take time. Also current cost of batteries is quite high.

Short term plans by BMW include improvements in current engines fuel efficiency. Possibility is that future M-models will only use smaller turbocharged engines. In addition BMW continues to work on future hybrid and hydrogen models.

Source: Wired