BMW has issued a statement in response to inaccurate reports that have stated that the fleet of electric ActiveE models used in the lease program in the U.S. would be limited to 200 vehicles.
BMW says that although the exact size of the fleet has yet to be confirmed, it will be at least as large as the 450-unit Mini E fleet currently in operation in the US.
The ActiveE US trial is scheduled to begin in 2011.
“I would hate for anyone to get the impression that we are backing away from our commitment to EV development or the Megacity Vehicle project. Let me reassure you that nothing could be further from the truth,” said Rich Steinberg, manager of Electric Vehicle Operations and Strategy.
Steinberg went on to note the important information so far yielded from the OEM’s electric vehicle field tests. “Those lessons have already been applied in our development work. One example is the liquid heating and cooling capability for the batteries in the upcoming BMW ActiveE. This will help to optimize operating range in conditions of extreme hot and cold climates,” he explains.
In preparation for the upcoming BMW ActiveE field trial, which will begin in 2011, the BMW Group announced at the North American International Auto Show in January that it will offer one-year lease extensions to current MINI E lessees. The MINI E will be prominently featured at the New York International Auto Show from 2-11 April.
