BMW's electric car innovation

The BMW Megacity Vehicle (MCV)
BMW's Megacity Vehicle won't be the first mass-produced electric
vehicle on the market, but it will be the first mass-produced vehicle to
use a passenger cell made from carbon, specifically carbon
fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP).

Carbon is known for its light weight and likely will allow BMW to
offset the additional weight that comes with an electric vehicle drive
train. And a lighter vehicle will probably lead to an extended driving
range. With American consumers focused on being able to drive longer
distances on one tank of gas or one electric battery or electric charge,
this could lead to more interest in the Megacity Vehicle as its 2013
release date nears.

BMW is creating this vehicle from the ground up and completely
in-house, using what it calls "the LifeDrive concept." The company says
electrifying its vehicles requires a completely new approach to vehicle
architecture and body construction in order to optimize the electric
vehicle platform.

"The LifeDrive concept consists of two horizontally separated, independent modules," the company said in a statement.

"The Drive module integrates the battery, drive system and structural
and crash functions into a single construction within the chassis. Its
partner, the Life module, consists primarily of a high-strength and
extremely lightweight passenger cell made from CFRP. Furthermore, the
new vehicle architecture opens the door to totally new production
processes, which are both simpler and more flexible and use less
energy."

Although the success of future electric vehicles will depend on the
consumers' adoption of the technology, automakers like BMW are
continuing with their plans to bring all-electric vehicles to market. As
the technology improves we are likely to see longer driving ranges,
which is one of the key factors that will influence Americans' electric
vehicle purchase decisions.

BMW does not yet have details on the possible range of the Megacity
Vehicle, but with several years to fine-tune this process, we may very
well see a vehicle with an all-electric range near the 200-mile
mark--the sweet spot for American buyers.

Melissa Hincha-Ownby blogs for the Mother Nature Network.

Whats with the Wheels?

Apparently that's BS, unless they really look like that...

Probably just a bit of concept art.

It would otherwise be pretty kawaii, them wheels, don't you think?

kawaii? NO.