2019 BMW i3 gets a 42 kWh battery

Now it’s official. The 2019 model year of the BMW i3 finally gets the long-awaited 120 Ah battery cells from Samsung SDI. The 120 Ah battery cells give the battery pack a total capacity of 42,2 kWh (96 x 120 Ah x 3,667 V).

This is the second battery capacity upgrade that the BMW i3 gets since its launch.

• Original battery cells: 60 Ah – EPA range of 81 miles (130 km)
• First upgrade (2017): 94 Ah – EPA range of 115 miles (185 km)
• Second upgrade (2018): 120 Ah – EPA range of 153 miles (246 km)

In Europe it’ll be advertised with a 260 km (161 miles) range, which BMW considers to be realistic. However, the WLTP range is more optimistic and will be 285-310 km.

The sportier version (BMW i3s) and the extended range version (REX) will also get the new battery cells.

Production begins in November 2018.

This is probably the last battery capacity upgrade that the BMW i3 gets before a major facelift or being completely replaced by a new model.