Dealers like Pupkewitz BMW says there are many frequently asked questions about EVs, such as: Is Namibia ready for EVs? How far can they drive? Can I reach the next town? Where can I charge my car? Would it make a difference to my electricity bill?
Pupkewitz BMW recently launched the iX3 BMW EV, and has answers to some of these questions.
“The principle remains the same: If you know the range of your vehicle and how far it can travel with a full tank, you will plan your trip accordingly, and this is what Pupkewitz BMW will bring all Namibians out there. EVs are no different,” says Armand Barnard, dealer principal at Pupkewitz BMW.
“You go home with your EV”;s charger, plug it into a wall socket, and carry on with your daily chores while the car charges,” he says.
The iX3 BMW is not the first of the EVs introduced and sold in Namibia, but there is a lot more to come in this segment.
When you buy your electric Pupkewitz BMW, you get two charging cables – one high-voltage cable for usage at charging stations and the other suitable for home charging.
The iX3 is the same size as its petrol or diesel X3 model, but under the bonnet is an all electric “;engine”; with lots of technology and power.
The “;i”; is the only indicator that the car is electricity driven, and it looks almost like its fossil-fuelled relatives.
This iX3 has some interesting technology and can recharge its batteries while the car is in use, although its recharge capability is limited, Barnard says.
“Remember, the vehicle also works on kinetic energy. Every time you touch the brake pedal, it charges the batteries, and every time you free-wheel it once again, charges the batteries. This means your batteries”; charging percentage is increasing – unlike a normal fuel engine when in use,” he says.
The iX3″;s cluster keeps the driver informed and updated on the car”;s performance during the ride.
The car can only be serviced by a highly trained technician and BMW-approved trained high-voltage technician, which the local branch can boast about as they have such a technician in their workshop.
But owners can rest assured the vehicle does not need the regular services conventional vehicles do.
So, here is another saving, apart from saving on fuel.
The car has no carbon dioxide emissions.
The EV uses about N$350 electricity to charge the vehicle from 20% to 80%, while it will cost you an estimated N$1 750 in fuel with a conventional vehicle to travel the same distance under the same driving conditions.
The iX3 is not a vehicle you can take on with your bare hands as its top speed is 180km/h.
It can reach a 100km/h in just under seven seconds.
This vehicle has a range of between 460km and 505km, making it suitable for a trip from the capitol as far as Walvis Bay or Grootfontein.
This all depends on external factors, like the driver”;s attitude, and climate.
No need to stress about that though, as the car keeps updating the driver on performance and distance.
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