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2021 BMW i3 EV vs gas: is the EV worth it?

RWD vs 120 Ah w/Range Extender RWD

Yes. Cheaper over 6 years.

$3,850less to buy

Pick another car

-$4,000-$3,000-$2,000-$1,000$012345678910Your 6 years
Bars: total energy saving after each year. No price gap to pay back.

Every EV pair

2021 BMW i3 EV vs gas: every pair
PairMSRPRatingEnergy a yearPrice gapSaves a yearPaybackAhead after 6 years
RWD
120 Ah w/Range Extender RWD		$44,450
$48,300		29.8 kWh/100 mi
100 mpg		$608
$384		-$3,850-$224None neededEV, $2,507
s RWD
120 Ah w/Range Extender RWD		$47,650
$48,300		29.8 kWh/100 mi
100 mpg		$608
$384		-$650-$224None neededGas, $693

What changes the answer

  • No price gap to pay back.

What you give up

RWD vs 120 Ah w/Range Extender RWD: other differences
MeasureEVGasChange
Horsepower168 hp170 hpabout the same
Torque110 lb-ft184 lb-ft-74 lb-ft
Curb weight2,972 lb3,276 lb-304 lb

Plug-in hybrid vs gas

Yes. Cheaper over 6 years. 120 Ah RWD vs 120 Ah w/Range Extender RWD.

  • Plug-in: $3,850 less. Costs $539 more a year to run.
  • No gas trim with the same name. Cheapest gas 2WD trim used.
2021 BMW i3 plug-in hybrid vs gas: every pair
PairMSRPRatingEnergy a yearPrice gapSaves a yearPaybackAhead after 6 years
120 Ah RWD
120 Ah w/Range Extender RWD		$44,450
$48,300		31 mpg, 29.8 kWh/100 mi
100 mpg		$923
$384		-$3,850-$539None neededPlug-in, $614
s 120 Ah RWD
120 Ah w/Range Extender RWD		$47,650
$48,300		31 mpg, 29.8 kWh/100 mi
100 mpg		$923
$384		-$650-$539None neededGas, $2,586
Base w/Range Extender RWD
120 Ah w/Range Extender RWD		$48,300
$48,300		31 mpg, 29.8 kWh/100 mi
100 mpg		$923
$384		$0-$539None neededGas, $3,236
s w/Range Extender RWD
120 Ah w/Range Extender RWD		$51,500
$48,300		31 mpg, 29.8 kWh/100 mi
100 mpg		$923
$384		$3,200-$539NeverGas, $6,436

What this cannot tell you

Incentives, insurance, upkeep and resale are not included.

Your own mpg will differ.

How values are checked