The first electric BMW appeared at the 1972 Munich Olympic games. A pair of cars based on the 1602 saloon were used as camera cars and as official vehicles for the Olympic organising committee.
Its lead batteries gave a maximum range of 60km, at a constant 50kph, but weighed 350kg. As it was mounted on a pallet in the engine bay, the battery pack could be swapped for a charged unit. The 1602 'Elektro' had a top speed of 100kph and used regenerative braking, with the electric motor acting as a generator.
The E30 325iX was a result of the development undertaken by BMW following the 1602. It used more efficient sodium-sulphur batteries and was tested on a special rig to measure range, performance, and to manage the drive systems.
With three times the energy density of lead-acid batteries, the sodium-sulphur items in the 325iX weighed less than previously (265kg) and could send the car further (150km in city traffic). Eight 325iX models were made, and trialled throughout Germany.
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