March 2, 2012 – BMW will display its first all-electric vehicle, the ActiveE, at the IEEE International Electric Vehicle Conference. The ActiveE is the first fully electric BMW to be placed in customer hands, says the auto maker. With output of 170 hp and maximum torque of 184 lb-ft from a standstill, the BMW ActiveE accelerates from 0–60 mph in under nine seconds. Newly developed lithium-ion batteries facilitate a driving range of up to 100 miles on a full charge.

Dr. Julian Weber, Head of Innovation Projects E-Mobility within ‘project i’ (BMW Group’s EV think tank and product line), is slated as one of the conference’s keynote speakers. As a long-time member of the BMW engineering team, Weber has worked in Process Consulting and Experimental Vehicle Build. He also previously served as Manager of Purchasing Strategy and Innovation Management North America located in Spartanburg, S.C.

“This presentation shows how BMW has prepared for years to ensure this challenge will eventually become a success story in sustainable mobility,” said Lee Stogner, chair, IEEE Electric Vehicle Initiative. “Showcasing their new technology and being a part of the inaugural IEVC is a great way to show the world the innovations taking place at BMW.”

The BMW ActiveE is the BMW Group’s second step in the company’s three-phase development plan leading to an emission-free, electric BMW in series production. Within the framework of project i, the BMW Group is carrying out R&D work on the development of electrically powered vehicles. The result will be the BMW i3, which will be released in late 2013 and is designed be a sustainable mobility solution primarily for congested urban areas. The drive components and battery technology that will be used in the BMW i3 are being tested in the BMW ActiveE.

Additionally, BMW Manufacturing will make available a 5 Series sedan with start/stop technology and the 7 Series Active Hybrid for use in a ride-and-drive event at IEVC.