[PeterC4]

Anyone know how the gradual denigration of the Lithium Ion Battery in the plug in might affect the actual hybrid operation and performance of the car? Driving range on pure electric would be expected to deteriorate over time, but what about performance (acceleration for instance) in hybrid mode?

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by PeterC4

Anyone know how the gradual denigration of the Lithium Ion Battery in the plug in might affect the actual hybrid operation and performance of the car? Driving range on pure electric would be expected to deteriorate over time, but what about performance (acceleration for instance) in hybrid mode?

From what I've read, the 0-60 time of the 550e is 4.1 seconds (published). In comparison, the 0-60 time of the 540 is 4.4 seconds. A difference of 0.3 seconds. For reference, the average human heart valve takes 0.8 seconds to complete a cycle. Perceptible? I have no idea.

I would imagine even if the maximum capacity of the hybrid battery decreases over time, you would not see a degradation in performance, just in range? Unless BMW has some algorithm in the software to address this.

What I will be curious to see is what the mpg performance of this model is. I would assume after the battery is exhausted, you're lugging around a battery that has some significant weight, so highway trips might ultimately result in lower efficiency.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

From what I've read, the 0-60 time of the 550e is 4.1 seconds (published)........What I will be curious to see is what the mpg performance of this model is. I would assume after the battery is exhausted, you're lugging around a battery that has some significant weight, so highway trips might ultimately result in lower efficiency.

I'm also anxious to know what the real world fuel efficiency is for this car. A lot depends on how the electric battery/motor is engaged, but what is interesting to me is that allegedly, the hybrid always works even when the pure electric range is at a minimum.

[Dragonfly Trumpeter]

Originally Posted by PeterC4

I'm also anxious to know what the real world fuel efficiency is for this car. A lot depends on how the electric battery/motor is engaged, but what is interesting to me is that allegedly, the hybrid always works even when the pure electric range is at a minimum.

Fuel efficiency on a road trip is scary good for such a big car. I did a 390 mile round day trip last week and only used the battery for approx 10 miles (used 4kw) whilst in traffic. I drove on 'maintain battery level' virtually all the way. And filled up with 45 litres for the 380 miles. Most of those miles were on user friendly cruise at 72mph, sometimes a bit less but also some more spirited spells when passing or simply wanting to push on a bit. So a very good return at well over 8m / litre.

But the car has been very good for fuel consumption overall and I have done around 5000 miles now. The 48/50 real world miles on the UK G60 batteries is a huge help with local stop / start running. And I can confirm that you get the full hybrid horsepower for acceleration even when the battery is low, the car tends to keep it at around 7% without the reserve. Obviously you cannot get sustained full power in those conditions but how long are you ever driving with the pedal on the floor?

I will do a similar day trip this coming week, pay more attention to my speed details and check it again. robfen have you measured such a trip re miles and refill litres at all as a comparison?

[BMW5151]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly Trumpeter

Fuel efficiency on a road trip is scary good for such a big car. I did a 390 mile round day trip last week and only used the battery for approx 10 miles (used 4kw) whilst in traffic. I drove on 'maintain battery level' virtually all the way. And filled up with 45 litres for the 380 miles. Most of those miles were on user friendly cruise at 72mph, sometimes a bit less but also some more spirited spells when passing or simply wanting to push on a bit. So a very good return at well over 8m / litre.

But the car has been very good for fuel consumption overall and I have done around 5000 miles now. The 48/50 real world miles on the UK G60 batteries is a huge help with local stop / start running. And I can confirm that you get the full hybrid horsepower for acceleration even when the battery is low, the car tends to keep it at around 7% without the reserve. Obviously you cannot get sustained full power in those conditions but how long are you ever driving with the pedal on the floor?

I will do a similar day trip this coming week, pay more attention to my speed details and check it again. robfen have you measured such a trip re miles and refill litres at all as a comparison?

Things will be different here in the US, as BMA has apparently used software to limit our electric range to 25 miles. Sad.

[aherman18]

Originally Posted by BMW5151

Things will be different here in the US, as BMA has apparently used software to limit our electric range to 25 miles. Sad.

I've seen BMW estimates of 25mi, but I figured they were just waiting for the official EPA rating.

I think the battery is a bit limited due to longer warranty, but it shouldn't be that much.

Hope to see the EPA listing soon.

When is the first 550e due in the US?

Thanks.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by BMW5151

Things will be different here in the US, as BMA has apparently used software to limit our electric range to 25 miles. Sad.

I have not seen an official statement from BMW Canada on electric only range . That is a disappointment and not how the car was represented to me as I thought the electric only range was about 85-90 kms. I think that 25 miles is a material difference and changes the value proposition.

[RichardInCA]

I seriously doubt that BMW has halved the usable capacity of the battery, but guess a chunk of the difference is in the testing protocol. The US website hasn’t updated the technical data on range yet, not sure which protocol is followed for the Canadian market.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

I seriously doubt that BMW has halved the usable capacity of the battery, but guess a chunk of the difference is in the testing protocol. The US website hasn’t updated the technical data on range yet, not sure which protocol is followed for the Canadian market.

There is nothing I can find on the Canadian BMW site. I don't understand why they would have ambiguity on this basic piece of information - electric only range. As you note, 25 miles vs say, 55 miles (about 90 kms) is a big difference. That is too much of a difference. Everything about this launch is frustrating.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly Trumpeter

Fuel efficiency on a road trip is scary good for such a big car. ......And I can confirm that you get the full hybrid horsepower for acceleration even when the battery is low, the car tends to keep it at around 7% without the reserve. Obviously you cannot get sustained full power in those conditions but how long are you ever driving with the pedal on the floor?

"Cannot get sustained full power"....What does that mean? So the 550e or say the new M5 hybrid, does it have a deterioration of performance on a track if you do not have enough charge on the battery? What about a cross country trip? I guess if the car is specifically designed in a way that the car only expends as much energy as it can recover, you might run out of boost in extreme racing conditions, but other than that it might be okay. Remains to be seen.

[Dragonfly Trumpeter]

Originally Posted by PeterC4

"Cannot get sustained full power"....What does that mean? So the 550e or say the new M5 hybrid, does it have a deterioration of performance on a track if you do not have enough charge on the battery? What about a cross country trip? I guess if the car is specifically designed in a way that the car only expends as much energy as it can recover, you might run out of boost in extreme racing conditions, but other than that it might be okay. Remains to be seen.

550e and M5 are phevs so yes, there could be a deterioration of performance on a track. If you drove pulling all hp continuously, the battery would drain and you would lose the electric motor power in such extreme conditions. But even on a track you are never flat out all the time and I doubt any phev road car will be bought for using as a race car though

On a cross country trip they would be fine, the battery being trickle charged any time the car is not pulling everything from the engine so the hybrid power would be available. Even if you choose to drive at 100 mph for a long time, the battery will not stop your power level. But the traffic police may well do it

[MongoTom]

Based on the weight, battery size and aerodynamic comparison with my Pacifica PHEV, I suspect the 550e will have an EV range close to 40 miles. And despite the increased weight over the 540i, I also believe the highway gas mileage of the 550e will be better due to its hybrid assist.

[wagonallterrain]

Our 745e battery range has reduced from 17 to 13 in 2.5 years

[Ossian]

My G30 530e battery capacity dropped from around 13 miles at its peak (I think I got the first 530e in the US, and the battery tech improved significantly after the LCI) down to 8 miles after 6+ years.

It is hard to believe that BMW would halve the potential mileage of the 550e for the US market when the X5 50e has essentially the same drive train and gets well over 40 electric miles.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by PeterC4

"Cannot get sustained full power"....What does that mean? So the 550e or say the new M5 hybrid, does it have a deterioration of performance on a track if you do not have enough charge on the battery? What about a cross country trip? I guess if the car is specifically designed in a way that the car only expends as much energy as it can recover, you might run out of boost in extreme racing conditions, but other than that it might be okay. Remains to be seen.

I don't see this as any different than any other realities of physics and driving on a track. The car will use regenerative braking and other tricks to recoup energy for the HV battery to keep that car's performance at maximum as much as possible.

If you were WOT (wide open throttle) on a straight track with no braking or reduction in speed then, yes, it is possible to fully exhaust the HV battery and have a performance reduction until you slowed down to allow to recoup.

Is that any different than overheating your brakes or other stresses that can wear a car out in sustained heavy driving conditions?

Originally Posted by Ossian

My G30 530e battery capacity dropped from around 13 miles at its peak (I think I got the first 530e in the US, and the battery tech improved significantly after the LCI) down to 8 miles after 6+ years.

It is hard to believe that BMW would halve the potential mileage of the 550e for the US market when the X5 50e has essentially the same drive train and gets well over 40 electric miles.

The HV battery and EV system were upgraded in MY2020 pre-LCI. The LCI MY2021 carries that same enhanced EV system.

My MY2020 battery has worn very well over 5 years. It is still above 90% of its original capacity with over 50K miles on it.

Originally Posted by BMW5151

Things will be different here in the US, as BMA has apparently used software to limit our electric range to 25 miles. Sad.

BMW does limit the battery capacity in the US to about 80% of what it is in the rest of the world. IMHO this is due to the longer battery warranty in California and other CARB states which dominate sales for PHEVs. That does reduce range somewhat.

That's not responsible for the "huge" range difference between the US and UK though. The major difference for that is due to the way the US EPA and CARB test the range of the cars. Since we use different tests you can't compare them directly. You can expect US range to be reported as lower than the European range though.

[agorski]

Since it's generally not a good idea to charge Lithium batteries to 100% all the time, and since that's very easy to do with PHEV with a small battery, I'm not surprised that there is noticeable degradation in a few years time.

[PeterC4]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

BMW does limit the battery capacity in the US to about 80% of what it is in the rest of the world. IMHO this is due to the longer battery warranty in California and other CARB states which dominate sales for PHEVs. That does reduce range somewhat.

That's not responsible for the "huge" range difference between the US and UK though. The major difference for that is due to the way the US EPA and CARB test the range of the cars. Since we use different tests you can't compare them directly. You can expect US range to be reported as lower than the European range though.

I asked BMW Canada for the expected electric only range for the 550e. I was advised the range information is not yet available. I hope it's a meaningful number.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by agorski

Since it's generally not a good idea to charge Lithium batteries to 100% all the time, and since that's very easy to do with PHEV with a small battery, I'm not surprised that there is noticeable degradation in a few years time.

The car manages it just fine. My 530e is at 91% after 5 years and many charge cycles.

I can't say the same for my iPhone. It is already at 92% and it is only 11 months old.

I can't speak to exactly how BMW has managed the system to balance battery longevity, but it seems to be working pretty well...

I know buying my 530e I wondered if I would make it here and the battery would be over 80% capacity or not. Especially considering how often I charge and drain the battery flat. But no issues

Originally Posted by PeterC4

I asked BMW Canada for the expected electric only range for the 550e. I was advised the range information is not yet available. I hope it's a meaningful number.

Keep us all posted. I'm sure it would be very helpful to others to know if Canada inherits the US "limit" since it is coming from BMWNA or if it gets the limit that aligns with the ROW (rest of the world). Hopefully the later as I'm not aware of anywhere in Canada that affords an extended 10Y battery warranty.

[robfen]

the 550e did around 8.8l/100km (27 us mpg/32 mpg uk) in last motorway run with no battery charge in sport at a steady 75mph for 2 hours

with 90% battery same run 5.9l/100km

I generally charge to 90 per cent and get 50-55 miles

[Ever Green]

I am not sure on the first but mine is in production right now, it appears to be "stuck" in the paint booth as it shows it's been there for the last week and a half.

[1987illini]

As a comparison, on numerous trips of over 100 miles my 2024 540i gets anywhere between 38.5 - 40.1 mpg cruising on the highway in economy mode.

[PsychDoc]

Originally Posted by 1987illini

As a comparison, on numerous trips of over 100 miles my 2024 540i gets anywhere between 38.5 - 40.1 mpg cruising on the highway in economy mode.

I'm getting 31.6 mpg over 6k miles overall. I've never reset the trip computer (540xi). That's absolutely incredible efficiency for a car weighing over two tons with a 375hp engine!