Great editorial at Slate (did I just say that?) by Will Oremus on the BMW i3:
…at first glance: yeesh. It has the range of a Chevy Volt and the looks of a Pontiac Aztek. And those aren’t even the most disappointing things about it…
The major statement that Tesla made with the Model S was that an electric motor doesn’t have to mean compromise. With a range approaching 300 miles, knockout styling, seating for seven, and head-snapping acceleration, the Model S said to gas-guzzlers, “Anything you can do, I can do better.” BMW’s effort says just the opposite. Its range is 80 to 100 miles, commensurate with pre-Tesla efforts like the Volt and the Nissan Leaf. Its styling shouts “novelty vehicle.” It seats just four. And it goes zero to 60 in seven seconds—which, to be fair, is not bad for an electric car.
My feelings exactly. This is a pre-Tesla Model S electric Car. Tesla changed the game but BMW is still living in 2010. On one hand, I’m glad BMW is doing electric but on the other, I’m not feeling the revolution. In fact, why not get a Leaf for $15K less? It actually looks much better (something I also didn’t think I’d be saying.
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