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.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
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