Range anxiety refers to the panic induced in drivers of electric vehicles over whether or not a destination is too far from a charging station (never mind how long charging might take once you arrive).
BMW estimates around 100 miles of electric-only driving range for the i3; an optional two-cylinder range-extending engine will add roughly 90 miles to that figure. Either way, road-tripping won’t be as easy or possible in an i3 as it is in a regular ride, especially around holidays. A gas-powered loaner neatly solves the issue of the occasional 190-plus-mile journey, and a BMW spokesperson confirmed that such a plan is being hashed out.
The i3 doesn’t go on sale until later this year in Europe and early 2014 in the U.S.so details are still in the works. For example, what will the program cost? Ward’s says the loaner deal will be included in the price of an i3, which is expected to start in the mid-$40,000 range. Whether or not there will be any limits on loaners is undetermined, (for example, how far and how often can you borrow a gasoline-powered car?) but the limits of the i3 itself are already clear.–– Paul Duchene
