Dream with me a bit here….
Imagine a perfect sphere that weighed 4300 lbs. Imagine the energy and strength required to push the two ton+ sphere up
an incline from sea level to 5400ft. Now
add the energy to push that sphere 104 miles down the road at freeway speeds.
That is the energy that is contained and regenerated in the electric BMW ActiveE. A most incredible and capable car.
What a great afternoon. As pioneers we test our cars to the limits. Why? Because we love cars, love to drive and love to explore where the outer edge is. Today was a
picture perfect spring day, I planned a
96 mile trip according to Google Maps that began at sea level, climbed to 5400 feet to the top of Mt.
Palomar, and returned to sea level on a single charge..
First tip, don’t trust Google maps, trust the ActiveE! The distance of the trip was actually 104
miles not 96 promised by Google. Had I
known that in the beginning I would have scratched the attempt as too far.
Leaving home I drove our ActiveE to Mt. Palomar. The first 45 miles climb a total of 2000
feet. The last 7 miles the climb is 3400
feet. It was a spirited drive up the
mountain.
Arriving at the top here are the screen shots of the nav. Even though 10 miles was indicated as the remaining range, I knew I had 23% battery charge and I would be regening all the way down the mountain so the range anxiety was kept in check. I was very happy with the battery temp. A run up the mountain like this in the Mini-E would have had the batts up to 114+ so great job BMW engineers!
Not a good feeling to be 52 miles from home with 10 miles of range indicated. What was funny was that the dinger went off when the range climbed back above 11 and above 27 just as it does when you go below them :)
At the bottom of the Mountain, still 2000 feet above sea level and 45 miles to
home I was back to 36% battery and very certain I would make it home with no need to pit stop.
Finally arriving home after 104 miles and a mile high mountain climb with 3% left in the
battery here are the screen shots.
The above pic shows the efficiency of the total trip
The above pic shows the return trip efficiency, lets just say the trip up and down the hill confused the heck out of the consumption gauge.
Battery temps normal, 104 miles with a mile high climb...Incredible. I conclude that you recover 95%-98% of the energy you use going up the mountain, when you go down the mountain.
I am in awe of the capabilities of the BMW ActiveE. Great job to all who have worked on this outstanding machine. What a fun day of sunshine and sunshine powered driving.
Cheers
Peder,
Spouse of an ActiveE driver.
