BMW ActiveE field trial to begin in major coastal cities, summer 2011
BMW ActiveE, BMW's first electric car, will begin field trial in summer 2011 in major metropolitan coastal areas.
If you are in a major metropolitan area next summer, you'll be able to check out the BMW ActiveE.
The announcement that BMW will put 450 of the electric vehicles on U.S. roads was made today at the Opportunity Green conference in Los Angeles.
Metropolitan markets BMW plans field tests include the New York area, the Los Angeles area, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, Boston, and select markets in Connecticut.
Labeled a "Megacity Vehicle," the ActiveE was first spotted at the 2010 Detroit auto show earlier this year.
The ActiveE, which has a reported range of 100 miles, sports a 1-series chassis and body with an electric motor fitted onto the rear axle.
"We were the first automaker to put 450 electric vehicles on U.S. roads for daily use. We have gained so much insight into living with an EV with our MINI E pioneers over the last year," said Rich Steinberg, manager of Electric Vehicle Operations and Strategy for BMW of North America. "Partners like the city of New York's Mayor's Office, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Southern California Edison have also been critical to the success of the program. We're looking forward to working with more drivers in more markets to build on our base of experience as we get ready for the launch of the Megacity Vehicle, and we look forward to even greater collaboration with the BMW ActiveE."
A full-scale launch of the ActiveE is scheduled for 2013.