2012 BMW ActiveE: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2012 BMW ActiveE is the first pure-electric car from this German brand. This 4-passenger, 2-door coupe is a version of the BMW 1-Series premium-compact car adapted to run exclusively on electric power. It uses a 170-horsepower electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack. The company claims a maximum driving range of 100 miles and a top speed of 90 mph. Reportedly, the car can be charged in 4-5 hours from a 220-volt charger installed in customers' garages. The ActiveE comes only with a single-speed transmission that functions like an automatic. Safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags. Available features include an application for Apple's iPhone and iPad that allows users to check the vehicle's charging status, start or stop charging, activate the climate controls, and search for the locations of public charging stations. The 2012 BMW ActiveE will be offered on a lease-only basis to a total of 700 customers in the metropolitan areas of Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco as well as the state of Connecticut. The lease is $499 per month for 24 months, with a down payment of $2250. This evaluation is based on a preview test drive.