The new, highly energetic batteries from CATL are the key ingredient.

• A firm from China is offering enhanced battery units for the older model of BMW i3.
• The firm asserts that its high-density battery pack has the potential to increase the vehicle’s initial driving range twofold.

The BMW i3 It’s a charming little electric vehicle but falls short of current range expectations. The model hit the market as early as 2013, equipped at that time with an modest 18.2-kilowatt-hour battery pack.

This particular model, identified by its 60 amp-hour capacity and referred to as the "60," came with an initial EPA-estimated range of only 81 miles. An upgrade to a 94 Ah battery then increased this estimate to approximately 114 miles. The final enhancement involved fitting a 120 Ah battery, which resulted in an improved EPA range of 153 miles for this distinctive electric vehicle.

This represents a considerable improvement, yet early adopters of the i3 model find themselves saddled with what seems like a less impressive energy supply. When you add this to the unavoidable truth that battery efficiency diminishes as they age, those who own earlier versions of the i3 equipped with the 60 Ah battery might only manage about 70 miles per full charge nowadays. This range works well for city driving, but venturing out further becomes quite an ordeal.

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However, there is a solution. A firm from China named Martigi Manufacturing (MTG) asserts they have created a battery pack for the BMW i3 capable of doubling the driving range of the 60 Ah model. Furthermore, this pack is compatible with every variant of the i3 and offers an enhancement beyond what the largest factory-installed battery provides.

MTG's approach involves providing more compact Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NCM) cells manufactured by China-based CATL, which can be installed in the same battery bay originally designed for the Samsung-produced cells. Despite maintaining identical pack configurations and rated voltages, these new cells boast greater energy storage capabilities.

The system consists of 96 cells divided into eight modules with an overall capacity of 154 Ah or 54 kWh. This represents a 156% boost in capacity relative to the least powerful 60 Ah unit. Additionally, this new configuration is 28% more substantial than the biggest initial battery installed in the i3.

MTG (the sole authorized retailer for the battery) collaborates with Echi Tech to obtain a reflashed battery management system, new electrical connectors, and all required components needed for changing the cells at home. Nonetheless, the reseller suggests having a skilled service provider carry out the upgrade.

The CATL pack is claimed to offer a driving range of approximately 248 miles when fully charged. Despite this, A video posted by MTG An i3 equipped with the enhanced package achieved 186 miles of continuous driving on the highway at a steady speed of 62 mph. In terms of charging, the updated pack functions identically to the previous version, capable of accepting up to 50 kW from a DC fast charger.

On Alibaba The 154 Ah battery pack has a price tag of $5,800 excluding shipping costs. Additionally, there is a 120 Ah model available for $4,800 that can serve as an exact substitute for the standard 120 Ah unit. According to MTG, these new units feature a three-year guarantee and have been tested for up to 2,000 charging and discharging cycles. The validity of honoring this warranty within the U.S. remains uncertain though.

As mentioned, an authentic, BMW-provided pack costs around $15,000 without labor Even though the shipping fees for the Chinese package equal the cost of the package itself, the total at checkout should remain less than the initial price.