No, the BMW i8 is not a full electric car. It is a plug-in hybrid sports car that uses both a gas engine and an electric motor to drive its wheels.
This is a common mix-up. The “i” in its name makes people think it’s all electric. But the truth is a bit more interesting.
I’ve driven the i8 and talked to many owners. The car feels electric at times, but it always has gas power ready to go. Let’s clear up the confusion once and for all.
What Kind of Car is the BMW i8?
So, is BMW i8 an electric car? The simple answer is no. It’s a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or PHEV.
That means it has two power sources. One is a small turbocharged gas engine. The other is an electric motor.
They work together to move the car. You can drive on just electric power for a short distance. Then the gas engine kicks in.
This setup gives you the best of both worlds. You get quiet electric driving in the city. You also get the long range of a gas car for trips.
The BMW i8 was built to be a tech showcase. It used fancy materials like carbon fiber to be light. Its design was meant to look like the future.
But under that futuristic body, it still needed gas. That’s the key thing to remember when you ask, is BMW i8 an electric car.
How Does the BMW i8 Power System Work?
The power system is clever. The electric motor drives the front wheels. The gas engine drives the rear wheels.
This gives the car all-wheel drive. It can use just the front electric motor, just the rear gas engine, or both together.
In pure electric mode, the BMW i8 is very quiet. It feels like a true electric car for a little while. This is where the confusion starts.
But the electric-only range is small. We’re talking about 15 to 18 miles a full charge. After that, the gas engine must start.
So, is BMW i8 an electric car you can drive daily without gas? Not really. The battery is too small for that.
According to FuelEconomy.gov, plug-in hybrids like the i8 use less gas than regular cars. But they still need gas for most driving.
Electric-Only Driving in the BMW i8
You can drive the BMW i8 on electric power alone. But there are big limits to this mode.
The top speed in electric mode is about 75 mph. That’s fine for city streets and highways. But it’s not for high-speed runs.
The acceleration is also gentle in this mode. It won’t give you the sports car thrill. That needs the gas engine’s help.
This leads many to wonder, is BMW i8 an electric car for short trips? Yes, but only for very short ones.
If your daily drive is under 15 miles, you could use mostly electric power. You would need to charge it every night, though.
For most people, the electric mode is just a part of the drive. It’s not the whole story. The gas engine does most of the work.
Charging the BMW i8 Battery
Since it has a battery, you need to charge it. You can use a regular household outlet or a special wall charger.
A full charge takes about three hours with a 240-volt charger. With a normal outlet, it takes close to five hours.
This is much slower than a real electric car. Modern EVs can charge in under an hour at fast stations. The i8 can’t use those fast chargers.
So, is BMW i8 an electric car when it comes to charging? Not really. The charging is slow and the range is short.
The charging port is on the left front fender. It’s a standard plug for plug-in hybrids. It’s not the fast-charge port you see on Teslas.
If you forget to charge it, no big deal. The car will still run perfectly on gas. This is the hybrid’s safety net.
Performance and Driving Feel
Driving the i8 is a unique experience. It feels part electric car, part sports car.
From a stop, the electric motor gives instant torque. The car pulls away smoothly and quietly. Then the gas engine wakes up with a growl.
The combination is quick. The i8 goes from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.2 seconds. That’s fast for any car.
But is BMW i8 an electric car in terms of performance? Only in the first second of acceleration. After that, the gas engine does the heavy lifting.
The steering is sharp and the car feels light. The carbon fiber body helps a lot here. It’s a fun car to drive on twisty roads.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the i8 good safety scores. Its unique construction is very strong.
Fuel Economy and Running Costs
The official numbers look great. The EPA says the i8 gets about 69 MPGe combined. That’s miles per gallon equivalent.
In real world driving, you’ll get less. If you drive hard, the gas engine runs a lot. Your fuel economy will drop.
If you charge daily and drive gently, you can use less gas. But you’ll pay for the electricity to charge the battery.
So, is BMW i8 an electric car that saves money on fuel? It can, but only if you drive it a certain way.
Tires and brakes are expensive on the i8. They are special parts for a sports car. Maintenance costs are like other BMWs, which means they are not cheap.
The battery has a long warranty from BMW. It’s covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles. This is standard for plug-in hybrids.
Common Misconceptions About the i8
The biggest mistake is thinking it’s all electric. The name and look trick a lot of people.
I’ve had friends ask me, “Is BMW i8 an electric car?” They are always surprised by the real answer.
Another myth is that it’s a supercar killer. It’s fast and looks wild, but it’s not that powerful. Many cheaper sports cars are quicker.
Some think it’s a practical daily driver. The truth is, it’s a two-seater with very little storage space. The trunk is tiny.
People also believe it gets amazing gas mileage all the time. It only does if you drive it like a hybrid. Drive it like a sports car and the MPG drops fast.
According to Energy.gov, plug-in hybrids work best for people with short commutes. The i8 fits that use, but it’s not a pure EV.
Comparing the i8 to Real Electric Cars
Let’s compare it to a Tesla Model S. The Tesla is a true electric car with no gas engine at all.
The Tesla has much more range. It can go over 300 miles on a charge. The i8 can’t do that without gas.
The Tesla charges faster at public stations. It also has more interior space and seats for five people.
So, is BMW i8 an electric car like a Tesla? No, it’s a different type of vehicle for different buyers.
The i8 is about style and a unique driving feel. A Tesla is about tech and electric range. They appeal to different people.
Other EVs like the Nissan Leaf or Chevy Bolt are also fully electric. They don’t have any gas backup. The i8 is not in their category.
Why Did BMW Make the i8 a Hybrid?
BMW wanted to show off their tech. The i8 was a rolling showcase of what they could do.
Back when it came out, full electric cars couldn’t go very far. Batteries were expensive and heavy. A hybrid made more sense for a sports car.
It also let them make a car that was both fast and somewhat efficient. A gas-only sports car with this performance would use a lot more fuel.
So, is BMW i8 an electric car BMW planned from the start? No, they always planned it as a hybrid. It was step one in their “i” division plan.
The i3 city car came out around the same time. It was offered as a full EV or with a gas range extender. The i8 was their performance flagship.
Times have changed. BMW now makes full electric cars like the iX and i4. The i8 was the bridge to those cars.
Ownership Experience and Reliability
Owning an i8 is a mixed bag. It turns heads everywhere you go. People will stare and take pictures.
But it’s not the most practical car. Getting in and out of the low seats can be a chore. The doors are long and need space to open.
So, is BMW i8 an electric car that’s easy to live with? Not really. It’s more of a weekend fun car or a second vehicle.
Reliability has been okay, but not perfect. The complex hybrid system can have issues. Repairs are expensive because of the carbon fiber body.
Many owners love the car despite its flaws. They enjoy the unique mix of electric smoothness and sports car sound. It’s a special feeling.
The Consumer Reports data shows average reliability for the i8. It’s not a trouble-free car, but it’s not a disaster either.
The Future of the BMW i8 Line
BMW stopped making the i8 in 2020. They don’t have a direct replacement for it yet.
The car world has moved toward full electric performance. BMW’s new electric cars are faster and have more range.
So, is BMW i8 an electric car that will have a sequel? Maybe, but if it does, it will likely be fully electric next time.
The i8 name has a lot of value. People remember the cool doors and the shape. BMW would be smart to use the name again.
For now, used i8 prices are holding steady. They are unique cars that stand out. That keeps them desirable to some buyers.
If you want a hybrid sports car with stunning looks, the i8 is still it. Just know what you’re getting into before you buy one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BMW i8 an electric car you can drive without gas?
No, you cannot drive it without gas for long. The electric-only range is only about 15 miles. After that, the gas engine must run.
How far can the BMW i8 go on electric power?
It can go about 15 to 18 miles on a full battery charge. This depends on your driving style and the weather conditions.
Does the BMW i8 need to be plugged in?
It works best if you plug it in to charge the battery. But if you never plug it in, it will still run as a regular hybrid using the gas engine.
What is the MPG of the BMW i8?
The official EPA rating is 69 MPGe combined. In real life, you might get less, especially if you drive it hard and don’t charge it often.
Is the BMW i8 fast?
Yes, it’s quite fast. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.2 seconds. The electric motor helps it launch quickly from a stop.
Why did BMW stop making the i8?
Sales were low and development costs were high. The car world is moving toward full electric cars, so a hybrid sports car didn’t make sense anymore for BMW.
Conclusion
So, is BMW i8 an electric car? The final answer is a clear no. It is a plug-in hybrid sports car.
It uses electric power for short bursts and gas power for the rest. This gives it a unique character that some people love.
If you want a true electric car, look at a Tesla, a BMW i4, or a Ford Mustang Mach-E. But if you want a head-turning hybrid that blends two worlds, the i8 is a cool choice.
Just know its limits before you buy. It’s not a practical daily driver or a long-range EV. It’s a special car for special drives.
I hope this guide cleared things up. The i8 is a fascinating piece of car history, even if it wasn’t the electric revolution some thought it was.