Wanting on the photos of this dumpy, rust-coloured metropolis automotive, you’re little doubt questioning simply how such a creation may discover its manner onto our Cool Ideas web page however BMW’s E1 was extra cutting-edge and influential than its pedestrian look would recommend.
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Unveiled on the 1991 Frankfurt Motor Present in response to tightening emissions legal guidelines popping out of the States (keep in mind, within the 80s, between 70 and 80% of automobiles there have been V8-engined), the E1 was a product of BMW Technik GmbH: the identical engineering division that introduced us such novelties because the Z1 and the zany Z18, which positioned a Z3 roadster-style physique on a high-riding SUV chassis. BMW was all too conscious of the constraints of battery know-how on the time, particularly with regard to working vary and charging, so it selected to develop E1 as an city mobility resolution.
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In contrast to many ideas, that are little greater than an eye catching shell on a chassis, powered by a golf cart motor, the E1 was constructed as a completely roadworthy prototype. This meant that along with accommodating the sensible concerns and high-quality cabin supplies typical of BMWs, the E1 additionally needed to conform to the crash-safety requirements of the day. To attain this, the automotive was not solely fitted with twin entrance airbags, but in addition utilised an revolutionary development comprising an aluminium body clad with plastic panels that was each robust and light-weight.
A rear axle-mounted electrical motor fed by sodium-sulphur batteries mounted below the rear seat (one other nod to production-viable crash security) developed a modest 37 kW however was good for a prime velocity of 120 km/h and a really respectable vary of 200 km. Charging was achieved through an ordinary electrical socket, utilizing a plug stashed in one of many E1’s kidney grille panels, and took six hours.
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These options might not appear that vital by present requirements, however they have been cutting-edge at a time when EVs have been little greater than an automotive pipe dream. Sadly, the E1 was maybe slightly too far forward of its time in some regards. Deficiencies within the cooling programs wanted for the sodium-sulphur batteries, which had the double-threat disadvantages of excessive optimum working temperature and extremely flamable innards, have been revealed when the unique prototype caught fireplace whereas charging, destroying the automotive and a part of an adjoining constructing. Consequently, BMW utilised extra secure sodium-nickel chloride batteries for its successor, the 1993 Z15 idea. The E1 might have seemed weird and been restricted by the battery know-how of the time (to not point out sadly flamable) however its design and structure would go on to type the blueprint for BMW’s first production-series EV, the i3, in addition to casting the die for the rising vary of spectacular i EV fashions to return.
Discover the complete characteristic within the June 2025 subject of CAR Journal.
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