BMW i announced that it will loan the Los Angeles Police Department a BMW i3 electric vehicle for twelve months in the first US test of the innovative EV in an authority fleet.
The BMW i3 test vehicle, which sports the famous LAPD black and white livery, complete with rooftop light-bar, will undergo a year of rigorous testing. It will also be featured at public events throughout the loan period.
“The decision by the Los Angeles Police Department to undertake this evaluation highlights the compelling nature of the BMW i3 as a versatile, sustainable vehicle,” noted Christine Fleischer, Manager – BMW i for BMW of North America. “By virtue of its innovative design and construction from leading-edge materials, the i3 is a brilliant fit with the technology-driven research philosophy of the LAPD. This will be a valuable learning experience for both BMW and the Department.”
The LAPD will benefit from the compact size and agility, thanks to the light-weight Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic construction of the BMW i3. The very tight turning circle of the i3 will make maneuvring around the streets of Los Angeles a breeze. The LAPD will have access to the large, conveniently located network of BMW i Centers, making servicing of an i3 fleet convenient and cost effective.
Watch for the “LAPD” BMW i3 on the streets and at events around Los Angeles over the coming months.
The BMW i3 is the first of the BMW i vehicles constructed from the ground up primarily of carbon fiber to enter the U.S. market. With 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque hybrid-synchronous electric motor, the fully electric BMW i3 is electrified by a 22-kWh lithium-ion battery, good for 80-100 miles of emission-free driving. Agile and engaging to drive, the BMW i3 is ideally suited for dense urban areas. Every aspect of the BMW i3 has been conceived for sustainability. The carbon fiber used to create the i3 is produced using hydro-electric power. The BMW i production facility in Leipzig, Germany draws much of its power from wind energy. Even the interior of the BMW i3 was created using sustainably-sourced materials.
The BMW i3 has a base MSRP of $42,400 and the range-extender model starts at $46,250, before any federal or applicable state incentives.
