BMW Boosts i3's Range to 153 Miles

BMW's 2019 i3 battery-electric hatchback increases its battery capacity by 30%, which translates to a range of 153 miles that's a 25% increase from the 114-mile range of the outgoing model.

The larger lithium-ion battery pack is available with the standard i3 and sportier i3s models. The 2019 BMW i3 is equipped with a 42.2-killowatt-per-hour battery (120 amp-hours) that replaces the previous 94-Ah battery. BMW introduced the i3 as a 2104 model with a 60-Ah battery.

BMW will offer the standard rear-wheel-drive i3 with a 170-horsepower electric motor, while the i3s gets a 181-hp electric motor.

BMW will contiinue to offer the i3 with a range-extending gasoline engine. The company didn't provide details on that model's expected range other than to say it would be "similarly improved." The current model adds 66 miles of range.

Production begins in November, and BMW hasn't announced when the vehicle will go on sale.