Most Americans have never ridden in an EV (Electric Vehicle). Washington boasts one of the leading per capita ratios of EV ownership and most still do not own one, including me.
My anxiety is quite common, and it is called range anxiety - the fear that you will be stranded in the middle of nowhere. EV proponents now say this is a myth.
My friends at BMW Seattle were quick to answer my call and introduced me to the 2023 BMW i4 and the BMWGENIUS™ team led by Christopher Fisher, who graciously loaned me the car for 2 days.
The grill is menacing, the profile of the car is sleek and sporty with the BMW curb appeal. As soon as you sit behind the wheel, you are comforted in luxury.
It is so quiet! While the car was running, Christopher and I discussed the BMWGENIUS™ team and their purpose. They are 100% customer-focused and a free service. They “know” that questions happen on the fly and are accessible to help you in those moments, when and where you need it!
BMW does not miss a beat with the i4. Everything about this car is intuitive! Your iPhone pairs with CarPlay and the display is instantly useful. The instrumentation on the console is easy to find and when the car starts in Drive mode you feel like you are driving a conventional gas-powered car.
The heads-up display displays your speed and the speed limit in augmented reality, allowing you to see what is ahead. It is a subtle safety feature. Typical speedometers are poorly positioned and force the driver to look downward. You really feel safe in the i4. It is a quiet low stress driving experience.
When you are in Drive, you can change modes on the fly. The two driving modes are Drive and Battery Drive. In Battery Drive, you are in EV mode, and you do not move unless the accelerator pedal is pressed. In Drive mode, you have cruise, so you must press the brake pedal to stop. This is most like the conventional gas-powered experience. Battery Drive works great in heavy traffic and on streets with traffic lights, while driving in Drive mode is better on the highway or where there is lighter traffic. You can also toggle between Sport, Comfort, or Eco settings. Sport mode has a stiff feel, especially in steering. Best of all, you can also change these settings on the fly!
London Agrawal, General Manager, demonstrated Parking Assistant Plus. He pulled into a tight parking spot, remarkably close to a concrete pole setting up one of the most dreaded parking experiences everyone faces. In this situation, we all fear scraping our bumper or body against an obstacle. London simply pressed the parking assist button, and the car safely retraced its route back to its origin.
“Sheer Driving Pleasure”! Not only is the car luxurious inside and out with plenty of safety and efficiency features, but it also has impeccable road response. EV’s boasts instant torque and the BMW i4 is above the norm. You will be pleasantly surprised by the touch of the accelerator. No herky-jerky experience while accelerating. It is smooth and responsive, quick and effortless, going from 0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds in the M50.
BMW nailed the convergence of tech and luxury in the i4!
2023 BMW i4 All-Electric Gran Coupe Trim Packages
i4 eDrive35 282 HP and 256-mile range
i4 eDrive40 Premium 335 HP and 301-mile range
i4 eDrive40 Sport 335 HP and 282-mile range
i4 M50 Performance 536 HP and 271-mile range
Over several drives in the eDrive40 sport and M50 performance coupes, everything was distinctively high performance European, highlighted by the comfort that BMW has perfected over generations.
No more range anxiety. I would make the Nashville-Mercer Island drive again with confidence. Range is up to 301 miles on a single charge in the eDrive40 and BMW offers 24 months (about 2 years) of free charging with a new i4 at their charging station partner, Electrify America. Check out the map; https://www.electrifyamerica.com/locate-charger/
I am an EV convert. In the famous words of the Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu,
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
Thank you to London Agrawal, Mark Harrington, and Christopher Fisher at BMW Seattle, for helping me take my first step towards ownership.
Call 206-829-5004 or scan the QR code for a test drive.
BMW Seattle
1002 Airport Way S
Seattle, WA 98134
BMWGENIUS™ free service available to ensure you enjoy everything your BMW has to offer. 1-844-4GENIUS