Many Normal and Decatur drivers are excited about the fast evolution of electric vehicles—EVs—in recent years. BMW has developed their EVs with an eye towards efficiency, performance, and safety. But knowing that doesn’t answer the more detailed questions we hear about electric vehicles. The BMW of Bloomington team is here to help make your transition into an EV a pleasant experience, and we’re starting by answering some of the most frequently asked questions about electric vehicles. Did we miss your question? Contact us and we’ll gladly help!
Yes! EVs are built using technology that’s been developed and fine-tuned for decades to provide maximum efficiency without sacrificing safety. For starters, electric vehicles don’t use a combustion engine which makes them far less likely to catch fire than gasoline-powered engines. And when it comes to safety features, BMW EVs are equipped with the same safety and driver assist technology as gasoline models.
Theoretically you don’t need a home charger for your EV, but without one you’ll be missing one of the biggest benefits of an EV—convenient refueling. While public charging stations are becoming more and more common in Urbana and central Illinois, the infrastructure is still very new. A home charging station allows you to plug in and forget it when you’re home.
EVs don’t use motor oil. In fact, EVs have far fewer moving parts than combustion engines, which means less parts need to be lubricated to prevent wear and tear. Regular EV maintenance appointents will focus on tire rotations, brake service, and battery checks.
The battery range for your EV will depend on the battery size and vehicle. All current BMW EVs have battery ranges near or over 300 miles. Just as higher-performing gas engines need more fuel, so do more powerful electric engines. Battery ranges for M Series EVs like the BMW i5 M60 are closer to 250 miles per charge. The average driver goes around 259 miles each week, so most drivers won’t have cases of “range anxiety.” For longer road trips, BMW EV owners get three years of complimentary fast charging from Electrify America. They have chargers throughout the country and can add around 90 miles of driving power in a ten-minute charging session.
If you’d like to learn more, stop by or contact BMW of Bloomington We’re here to answer your questions! Or, you can pay a visit to our BMW research hub, where we have articles and information about a variety of BMW models and features.
