31 MPG combined won’t top any charts in the hybrid or electric vehicle segment, but it adequately suits the buyer who chooses the 2021 BMW i3s with Range Extender. These owners likely value the unique styling, agile handling, and BMW branding more than maximizing gas mileage. They accept the range extender as a necessity for occasional longer trips. This is primarily a city car, and its efficiency, while not the best, is good enough for how it’s intended to be used.

City and highway performance

The EPA numbers for the 2021 BMW i3s with Range Extender are consistent: 30 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. This is largely because the i3’s electric drive system does most of the work. The 0.6L two-cylinder range extender works as a generator, activating to keep the battery at a certain level instead of directly powering the wheels. Therefore, stop-and-go city driving doesn’t significantly affect efficiency compared to highway driving. The small gas tank shows that the range extender is a supporting feature, meant to get you to the next charging station, not to make cross-country trips. View I3S MPG across all years.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2021 BMW i3s with Range Extender at $1,850. This is calculated based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using the national average fuel price at the time. Drivers who mainly use the i3s for short trips and regularly charge the battery will probably spend much less than this. On the other hand, those who rely more on the range extender will see their fuel expenses increase. The $1,850 is just an estimate, your driving habits and electricity rates will greatly affect the total cost. Review all Bmw fuel economy data.

Real-world expectations

The EPA estimates 31 MPG combined, but real-world fuel economy for the i3s with Range Extender can change a lot. Drivers who regularly plug in and maximize electric-only range might only stop at a gas station a few times a year, resulting in much better overall efficiency. However, if you treat the range extender as the main power source, 31 MPG is probably too optimistic. Expect numbers closer to the high 20s if you often use the gasoline engine, especially during long highway drives or with passengers. Ultimately, the i3s’s fuel economy depends a lot on driving style, charging habits, and how you use it.

How it compares

When compared to other plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles with range extenders, the 2021 BMW i3s’s fuel economy is average. The Chevrolet Volt (discontinued after 2019) had better electric range and a higher combined MPG of 42 when the gasoline engine was running. The now discontinued Cadillac ELR, a luxury coupe that also used a similar powertrain, got around 33 MPG combined, a small improvement. However, the i3s also competes with vehicles like the Mini Cooper SE, which is fully electric and doesn’t have a gasoline engine, and requires a different way of driving. The i3s offers security for those who aren’t ready to fully switch to electric cars. It’s a compromise some buyers find acceptable even if it means lower fuel efficiency.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Use the i3s’s regenerative braking system. By watching traffic and letting off the gas early, you can recover energy and send it back to the battery. This extends the electric range and reduces the need for the range extender to activate. This “one-pedal driving” becomes natural with practice and greatly improves efficiency.

Heat or cool the cabin while the i3s is plugged in. This saves battery energy and reduces the strain on the range extender, especially in extreme weather. A warm or cool car is also more comfortable.

Plan routes to take advantage of charging stations. Finding charging stations along common routes reduces anxiety about range and lessens the use of the gasoline engine. Public charging networks are growing and making it easier to keep the i3s charged.

Pay attention to your driving style. Quick acceleration and high speeds drain the battery faster and make the range extender work harder, which hurts fuel economy. Drive smoother to maximize efficiency. The i3s is already quick, so driving moderately will still get you where you need to go.

Keep tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which lowers fuel efficiency. Check tire pressure regularly and inflate them to the recommended levels in the owner’s manual. This simple task can affect the i3s’s performance and fuel economy.