The electric car is here to stay, as it's proved by BMW's very large investment in its i sub-brand. A purpose built CFRP monocoque chassis is not something you develop just for marketing purposes, trying to catch up in the electric car field, with your competitors. On the other hand, smart demonstrated that the fortwo model, an innovative idea for a city car, works just fine, if you replace the combustion engine with an electric motor.
Both cars, the Smart fortwo electric drive and the BMW i3 have the same concept, that of a pure electric city car. Yet, they are vastly different. As mentioned above, the i3 is based on a purpose developed and built CFRP monocoque chassis, that is designed in such a way, as to be the supporting structure for the rear mounted electric engine and suspension, as well as house the batteries as low as possible. Targeting annual sales of about 30.000 units, BMW is hoping that their investment in mass-production of CFRP parts (with SGL Group) will be very profitable, especially when the second member of the i family, the i8, is officially unveiled.
Smart, on the other hand, decided to electrify the fortwo, a car with a very unique design and the amazing ability to park vertically in the streets. The gasoline-burning fortwo already had the engine in the rear, so the conversion to electricity wasn't that challenging. Both cars are destined to spend their lifetime commuting, in large metropolises and congested city centres, thus a range of over 120 km is more than enough. Still, the i3 is available with a range extender engine, a 650cc 2 cylinder engine, serving only as a power generator, thus having no mechanical connection to the wheels.
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