BMW i high-voltage batteries: Modular design, modular swap

By CARSIFU | 8 May 2020


KUALA LUMPUR: A key concern for electrified vehicle ownership is the repair and replacement of the battery cells.

The BMW high-voltage battery presents solutions to concerns around repair and maintenance by developing their batteries where single modules are replaceable.

Sitting at the heart of every electrified BMW vehicle is a lithium-ion battery pack that houses multiple modules (depending on the model of the vehicle) and within each module, multiple cells as well – all intricately connected yet easily replaceable.

The high-voltage battery pack in the BMW 530e M Sport, for example, is made up of six cell modules.

As a result, if only one of the modules is needed to be replaced, owners need not replace the entire battery pack.

Instead, they can simply change that one cell module at a cost of RM5,000 per cell.

11. MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid (Custom)


While there is a cost involved for the maintenance of the battery cells, BMW Group Malaysia offers a comprehensive warranty coverage of 6 years / 100,000km for the batteries in its vehicles.

The battery pack is also built to be lightweight for efficient power usage while still capable of housing a great deal of power.

The 530e M Sport offers a maximum output of 83kW – the highest in its segment, enabling a maximum speed of 120km/h in full electric driving.

Moreover, these high-voltage batteries can be quickly recharged, powering the 530e M Sport in under three hours with the BMW i Wallbox for an all-electric range of 40km.

The BMW i belief of systemic sustainability also means accounting for the end of the high-voltage battery’s life cycle.

When the lithium-ion batteries are no longer suitable for use in a vehicle due to wear and tear from high performance requirements, they can still be useful in stationary operations such as those in second life projects such as the energy storage facilities.

The batteries can be combined to form a storage unit that is used as a buffer or backup storage for power from local energy sources such as solar and wind installations.

1. BMW Battery Module (Custom)


In Malaysia, the high-voltage battery technology is featured in the plug-in hybrid variants of the 5 Series, 7 Series, the full electric  i3s as well as the MINI Plug-In Hybrid.

From now until June 30, customers who pre-book the 530e Sport or 530e M Sport online at http://www.shop.bmw.com.my/ will be offered a range of exclusive deals.

They include a 0.00% interest rate and complimentary ChargeNow cards for both models.

Those who pre-book the 530e Sport will also receive a cash rebate of RM10,000, along with a complimentary BMW i Wallbox.

The 530e M Sport, on the other hand, grants a cash rebate of RM20,000 and a complimentary BMW i AC Fast Charging Cable.

Additionally, new owners of the 530e M Sport,  530e Sport and 740Le will stand a chance to also bring home the i8 Coupe with any purchase of the three models during the campaign period.

Customers can also apply for financial pre-approval online via the BMW Engage, a first-of-its-kind financing tool introduced by BMW Financial Services.

The platform allows customers to conveniently apply for pre-approved financing online at https://www.bmwfs.my/ or via the free mobile application available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

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