When everyone is going green, BMW does not want to be left behind in the race. Yes, we are talking about the latest trend, well known as electric cars, that has become so popular among the global car manufacturers.
BMW will launch a new car in 2013 which will run entirely on electricity. BMW had earlier announced that it will launch its first-ever full electric production vehicle, MegaCity in 2013, which is two years earlier than expected. This car would run primarily on electricity stored in a battery and the MegaCity urban electric vehicle will be built of carbon fibre.
BMW has forged a partnership with the composites expert SGL Group to construct a new plant in Moses Lake, Washington. This plant will produce lightweight carbon-fibre materials for auto industry applications. The total cost of the plant is likely to go beyond $100 million.
Carbon fibre weighs less and hence plays a very important role in reducing a car’s total energy consumption. The MegaCity will be built on carbon fibre which would enhance its green sustainability. It will be sold primarily in over-populated cities.
The firm's "Megacity" car "will be an emission-free city vehicle for metropolitan areas around the world," the Munich-based firm said in a statement.
The MegaCity is expected to be a four-seat, three-door hatchback. All MegaCity cars will run solely on electricity stored in a 16-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack.
BMW has now produced two electric cars so far: the two seat Mini E, which is currently being tested in the US, UK and Europe, and the new Active E Concept which introduced at the last month's Detroit Auto Show.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen, Europe's biggest automaker, is also expected to launch its electric cars in 2013.
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