{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"New BMW i3 ","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/new-bmw-i3","audioUrl":"https://anchor.fm/s/fedafd78/podcast/play/117228154/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-2-20%2F420433250-44100-2-d249f8f959153.mp3","description":"The BMW i3 launch and why would you buy one?Also the new BYD Atto 3 and why would you buy one?New Ohme ePods and Park and Charge. Humax announce MX7 charger partnership with Rightcharge.\n"},"annotations":[{"startTime":84.0,"endTime":132.9,"type":"car","title":"BMW 3 Series","url":"/cars/bmw/3-series","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/BMW_3_SERIES_E90_China.jpg","quote":"The big story of the week is the launch of the new BMW, which is a fantastic new three series that they have launched. There was a huge live stream event in Munich this week to launch the vehicle and the BMW looks like it's going to be a great car. So what I'm going to do is run a little bit of the video and we'll have a chat about the car and what it's like. So we're going to see some of the exterior footage on the car now. A lot of people have been talking about the front grille on the vehicle and how that's changed for the new BMW series. I like the look of the car. I think it's prettier at the front than it is at the back, but it's still a nice looking vehicle and it's going to be a big deal, this three series. The BMW range have been around for so long and the three series is an absolutely pinnacle car for them in that respect.","canonicalId":"car:bmw:3-series","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The BMW 3 Series is a compact executive car that has been a key model for BMW for decades, known for its blend of performance, luxury, and driving dynamics. It is often regarded as a benchmark in the segment and has a strong heritage as a prestige German brand.","simplifiedExplanation":"The BMW 3 Series is a popular car made by BMW that many people like because it drives well and feels fancy. It's been around for a long time and lots of people know it as a nice car.","imageAttribution":"Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":183.4,"endTime":237.3,"type":"car","title":"BMW i3","url":"/cars/bmw/i3","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/BMW_i3_front.jpg","quote":"The BMW i3 was released as a kind of interim car that ran up to a few years ago, the way they stopped making it and it's been incredibly popular in London actually. The small i3, which doesn't have great charging architecture now compared to a lot of the vehicles that are coming out, was a great, really popular vehicle. It had strange Rolls-Royce type back doors that swung open at the front so you can't get passengers into the back very easily without getting out the front of the car.","canonicalId":"car:bmw:i3","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The BMW i3 is an electric vehicle produced by BMW, originally released as a compact city car with a unique design including rear-hinged rear doors. It was popular in urban areas like London due to its size and ease of parking.","simplifiedExplanation":"The BMW i3 is a small electric car made by BMW. It’s easy to park and drive in cities and has special doors that open in an unusual way.","imageAttribution":"Frank Schulenburg (CC0)"}},{"startTime":196.2,"endTime":204.9,"type":"term","title":"800 volt architecture","url":"/glossary/800-volt-architecture","quote":"It's got an 800 volt architecture and it has up to 400 kilowatt rapid charging. You can get 400 kilometres in 10 minutes.","canonicalId":"term:800-volt-architecture","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"An 800 volt electrical system in an EV allows for faster charging and more efficient power delivery compared to the more common 400 volt systems. This enables rapid charging speeds and improved performance.","simplifiedExplanation":"The 800 volt system in the car means it can charge its battery much faster and work better than cars with lower voltage systems."}},{"startTime":196.2,"endTime":211.1,"type":"term","title":"rapid charging","url":"/glossary/rapid-charging","quote":"It's got an 800 volt architecture and it has up to 400 kilowatt rapid charging. You can get 400 kilometres in 10 minutes. That is phenomenal charging range that you can get in the vehicle.","canonicalId":"term:rapid-charging","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Rapid charging refers to the ability of an electric vehicle to charge its battery at a very high power rate, significantly reducing the time needed to recharge compared to standard charging.","simplifiedExplanation":"Rapid charging means the car can fill up its battery very quickly, so you don’t have to wait long to drive again."}},{"startTime":281.1,"endTime":285.8,"type":"car","title":"BMW i8","url":"/cars/bmw/i8-i12","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/BMW_I12_i8_Frozen_Black_Edition_Protonic_Frozen_Black.jpg","quote":"They brought out the i3 and the i8 at the time. The i8 is a hugely desirable sports car.","canonicalId":"car:bmw:i8-i12","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports car known for its futuristic design and performance. It combines an electric motor with a gasoline engine to deliver sporty driving dynamics.","simplifiedExplanation":"The BMW i8 is a fast car that uses both electricity and gas to drive. It looks very modern and is fun to drive.","imageAttribution":"Damian B Oh (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":297.1,"endTime":304.9,"type":"term","title":"rear wheel drive","url":"/glossary/rear-wheel-drive","quote":"It's still rear wheel drive. It's going to have a combined system output of 469 horsepower, so plenty of oomph in it.","canonicalId":"term:rear-wheel-drive","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Rear wheel drive means the car's engine or motor sends power to the rear wheels, which can enhance driving dynamics and handling, especially in sporty or performance vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"Rear wheel drive means the back wheels of the car make it move, which can make the car feel sportier to drive."}},{"startTime":297.1,"endTime":304.9,"type":"term","title":"horsepower","url":"/glossary/horsepower","quote":"It's going to have a combined system output of 469 horsepower, so plenty of oomph in it.","canonicalId":"term:horsepower","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Horsepower is a unit of measurement that indicates the power output of an engine or motor. Higher horsepower generally means the vehicle can accelerate faster and perform better.","simplifiedExplanation":"Horsepower tells you how strong the car’s motor is and how fast it can go."}},{"startTime":352.3,"endTime":360.1,"type":"term","title":"dashboard","url":"/glossary/dashboard","quote":"\"...the inside of the vehicle has got this lovely sweep around the dashboard where you can see a lot of the updates in the car. Right in front of you...\"","canonicalId":"term:dashboard","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The dashboard is the control panel in front of the driver that houses instruments and displays such as speedometer, infotainment screens, and climate controls. Modern dashboards often feature digital displays and design elements for aesthetics and functionality.","simplifiedExplanation":"The dashboard is the area in front of the driver where you see the speed and other important information. It also has screens and buttons to control the car."}},{"startTime":376.1,"endTime":383.1,"type":"term","title":"100 kilowatt hour battery","url":"/glossary/100-kilowatt-hour-battery","quote":"\"I think it carries a 100 kilowatt battery, kilowatt hour battery and that means that the rear floor is quite high in the car when you sit in it...\"","canonicalId":"term:100-kilowatt-hour-battery","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A 100 kilowatt hour (kWh) battery refers to the energy storage capacity of an electric vehicle's battery pack. The higher the kWh rating, the more energy the battery can store, which generally translates to longer driving range.","simplifiedExplanation":"The 100 kilowatt hour battery is like a big fuel tank for electric cars. It stores electricity so the car can drive farther before needing to charge again."}},{"startTime":388.5,"endTime":396.4,"type":"term","title":"tilting screen","url":"/glossary/tilting-screen","quote":"\"Instead of just a square iPad screen, it's actually got something that tilts which makes it a little bit different...\"","canonicalId":"term:tilting-screen","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A tilting screen in a vehicle is a display that can be angled or adjusted to improve visibility and reduce glare. This feature enhances user interaction compared to fixed-position screens.","simplifiedExplanation":"A tilting screen is a screen inside the car that you can move to see better or avoid reflections, making it easier to use."}},{"startTime":523.2,"endTime":537.8,"type":"concept","title":"heritage","url":"/glossary/heritage","quote":"\"...they talked a lot about the heritage of the three series right up until this day, especially with other manufacturers stepping in...\"","canonicalId":"concept:heritage","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Heritage in automotive context refers to the legacy, history, and reputation a car brand or model has built over time. It often influences brand loyalty and marketing strategies.","simplifiedExplanation":"Heritage means the history and traditions a car brand has. It’s like the story of the brand and what it’s known for over many years."}},{"startTime":715.8,"endTime":728.3,"type":"term","title":"bi-directional charging","url":"/glossary/bidirectional-charging","quote":"So the car is bi-directional. You can get the vehicle to go, vehicle to load. You can get the vehicle to go, vehicle to grid in the future. That's going to be really good.","canonicalId":"term:bidirectional-charging","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Bi-directional charging allows an electric vehicle to not only charge its battery from the grid but also to send power back to the grid or to power external loads (vehicle-to-grid or vehicle-to-load). This can help with energy management and provide backup power.","simplifiedExplanation":"Bi-directional charging means the electric car can get power from the charging station and also send power back to the station or to other devices. This helps save energy and can power things when needed."}},{"startTime":722.5,"endTime":728.3,"type":"term","title":"vehicle-to-grid","url":"/glossary/vehicle-to-grid","quote":"You can get the vehicle to go, vehicle to load. You can get the vehicle to go, vehicle to grid in the future. That's going to be really good.","canonicalId":"term:vehicle-to-grid","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology allows electric vehicles to feed electricity back into the power grid, helping balance supply and demand and potentially providing financial benefits to owners.","simplifiedExplanation":"Vehicle-to-grid means your electric car can send electricity back to the power company when they need it. This helps keep the lights on and can even save you money."}},{"startTime":734.7,"endTime":741.9,"type":"term","title":"kilowatt (kW)","url":"/glossary/kilowatt-kw","quote":"Optionally, drivers can charge their BMW i3 using an alternating current at speeds up to 22 kilowatts. That would sell it for me.","canonicalId":"term:kilowatt-kw","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A kilowatt (kW) is a unit of power that measures the rate of energy transfer. In electric vehicle charging, it indicates how fast electricity is delivered to the battery; higher kW means faster charging.","simplifiedExplanation":"A kilowatt is a way to measure how strong the electricity is when charging your car. More kilowatts mean your car can charge faster."}},{"startTime":734.7,"endTime":741.9,"type":"term","title":"alternating current (AC) charging","url":"/glossary/alternating-current-ac-charging","quote":"Optionally, drivers can charge their BMW i3 using an alternating current at speeds up to 22 kilowatts. That would sell it for me.","canonicalId":"term:alternating-current-ac-charging","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Alternating current (AC) charging is a common method for charging electric vehicles where the power supplied is AC and converted inside the car to DC by the on-board charger. AC charging is typically slower than direct current (DC) fast charging.","simplifiedExplanation":"Alternating current charging is when the electricity comes into your car as a kind of power that changes direction many times a second. Your car changes this power into the kind it needs to charge the battery."}},{"startTime":884.3,"endTime":888.9,"type":"concept","title":"battery preparation for DC charging","url":"/glossary/battery-preparation-for-dc-charging","quote":"It's got very good battery prep. So battery preparation for DC charging ensures that the high voltage battery is brought to the optimal temperature before plugging in at a DC charging station.","canonicalId":"concept:battery-preparation-for-dc-charging","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Battery preparation for DC charging is a process where the electric vehicle conditions its high-voltage battery to an optimal temperature before fast charging. This ensures the battery can accept high charging speeds safely and efficiently.","simplifiedExplanation":"Before fast charging, the car warms up or cools down its battery so it can charge quickly without getting damaged."}},{"startTime":899.0,"endTime":906.5,"type":"term","title":"ultra-fast charging","url":"/glossary/ultra-fast-charging","quote":"and the battery preps itself to be able to be warm enough or ready for very fast, ultra-fast DC or rapid charging. A lot of cars don't do this.","canonicalId":"term:ultra-fast-charging","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Ultra-fast charging is a high-power DC charging method that can replenish an electric vehicle's battery much quicker than standard fast charging, often delivering hundreds of kilowatts of power.","simplifiedExplanation":"Ultra-fast charging means charging your electric car really quickly, so you can drive more without waiting long."}},{"startTime":926.7,"endTime":932.9,"type":"concept","title":"route planning with battery prep","url":"/glossary/route-planning-with-battery-prep","quote":"So if you put your charging station into your sat nav, some vehicles will prepare the battery for DC charging. So it ensures that the battery is brought to the optimal temperature before plugging in at a DC charging station.","canonicalId":"concept:route-planning-with-battery-prep","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Some electric vehicles use route planning to anticipate upcoming DC charging stops and prepare the battery by heating or cooling it to the optimal temperature for fast charging upon arrival.","simplifiedExplanation":"The car plans your trip and gets the battery ready to charge fast when you reach a charging station."}},{"startTime":986.6,"endTime":999.9,"type":"term","title":"charging flap","url":"/glossary/charging-flap","quote":"The charging port is located on the rear side. Let's just go back to some of that external stuff where it's possible to open the charging flap manually. But this is no longer necessary as the intelligent charging flap opens automatically as soon as the customer's charging request is detected.","canonicalId":"term:charging-flap","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The charging flap is the cover on an electric vehicle that protects the charging port. Some modern EVs have intelligent charging flaps that open automatically when a charging request is detected.","simplifiedExplanation":"The charging flap is the little door on the car where you plug in the charger. Some cars open it by themselves when you want to charge."}},{"startTime":1032.0,"endTime":1135.9,"type":"term","title":"secondary materials","url":"/glossary/secondary-materials","quote":"Renewable energy increased use of secondary materials. The new BMW i3 consists of a total of around 30% of secondary materials.","canonicalId":"term:secondary-materials","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Secondary materials refer to recycled or reused materials that are processed and used again in manufacturing, reducing the need for virgin raw materials and lowering environmental impact.","simplifiedExplanation":"Secondary materials are things that have been used before and then recycled to make new parts, which helps protect the environment."}},{"startTime":1074.6,"endTime":1087.8,"type":"term","title":"lithium ion","url":"/glossary/lithium-ion","quote":"where they're pulling nickel from, where they're pulling lithium ion from. Are they sourcing from Indonesia at the moment where there's been pretty massive deforestation","canonicalId":"term:lithium-ion","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Lithium-ion refers to the type of rechargeable battery technology widely used in electric vehicles for its high energy density and efficiency.","simplifiedExplanation":"Lithium-ion batteries are the kind of batteries that power most electric cars because they can hold a lot of energy."}},{"startTime":1074.6,"endTime":1087.8,"type":"term","title":"nickel","url":"/glossary/nickel","quote":"where they're pulling nickel from, where they're pulling lithium ion from. Are they sourcing from Indonesia at the moment where there's been pretty massive deforestation","canonicalId":"term:nickel","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Nickel is a key metal used in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, contributing to energy density and battery performance but associated with environmental and ethical sourcing concerns.","simplifiedExplanation":"Nickel is a metal used in electric car batteries to help store energy, but getting it can sometimes hurt the environment."}},{"startTime":1079.5,"endTime":1087.8,"type":"term","title":"cobalt","url":"/glossary/cobalt","quote":"there's been pretty massive deforestation and I think through mining or cobalt mining there and in the DRC.","canonicalId":"term:cobalt","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Cobalt is a metal used in lithium-ion batteries to improve energy density and stability, but its mining has raised ethical and environmental concerns.","simplifiedExplanation":"Cobalt is a metal used in electric car batteries to help them work better, but mining it can cause problems for people and the environment."}},{"startTime":1117.4,"endTime":1128.6,"type":"term","title":"recyclable plastics","url":"/glossary/recyclable-plastics","quote":"Thanks to the extensive use of a plastic particularly suitable recycling, the proportion of recyclable plastics was increased from approximately 46% in the predecessor model to approximately 85%.","canonicalId":"term:recyclable-plastics","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Recyclable plastics are types of plastic materials that can be collected, processed, and reused to make new products, reducing waste and environmental impact.","simplifiedExplanation":"Recyclable plastics are plastics that can be melted down and made into new things instead of being thrown away."}},{"startTime":1139.7,"endTime":1142.0,"type":"part","title":"hub carriers","url":"/glossary/hub-carriers","quote":"The proportion of secondary materials in the aluminium cast components of the swivel bearings and hub carriers is 80%.","canonicalId":"part:hub-carriers","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Hub carriers are suspension components that hold the wheel hub and connect it to the suspension system, allowing the wheel to rotate and support the vehicle.","simplifiedExplanation":"Hub carriers are parts that hold the wheels in place and connect them to the car's suspension."}},{"startTime":1139.7,"endTime":1146.2,"type":"part","title":"aluminium cast components","url":"/glossary/aluminium-cast-components","quote":"The proportion of secondary materials in the aluminium cast components of the swivel bearings and hub carriers is 80%.","canonicalId":"part:aluminium-cast-components","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Aluminium cast components are parts made by pouring molten aluminum into molds, commonly used in automotive parts like swivel bearings and hub carriers for their strength and lightweight properties.","simplifiedExplanation":"Aluminium cast components are metal parts made by shaping melted aluminum into specific forms used in cars to make them strong but light."}},{"startTime":1139.7,"endTime":1142.0,"type":"part","title":"swivel bearings","url":"/glossary/swivel-bearings","quote":"The proportion of secondary materials in the aluminium cast components of the swivel bearings and hub carriers is 80%.","canonicalId":"part:swivel-bearings","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Swivel bearings are components in a vehicle's suspension that allow the wheels to pivot for steering while supporting the vehicle's weight.","simplifiedExplanation":"Swivel bearings are parts that help the car's wheels turn left and right when you steer."}},{"startTime":1146.2,"endTime":1150.0,"type":"part","title":"cast aluminium rims","url":"/glossary/cast-aluminium-rims","quote":"The cast aluminium rims consist of 70% secondary aluminium.","canonicalId":"part:cast-aluminium-rims","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Cast aluminium rims are wheels made by pouring molten aluminum into molds, offering a balance of strength, light weight, and cost-effectiveness for vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"Cast aluminium rims are car wheels made from melted aluminum shaped in molds, making them light and strong."}},{"startTime":1265.7,"endTime":1299.5,"type":"car","title":"BYD Ato3","quote":"Quick look at the new BYD Ato3. Now, why would you buy a BYD Ato3 when you can buy a brand new i3? Maybe because it's cheaper. They think the BMW i3 is going to come in at around 50k somewhere along the way.","canonicalId":"car:byd-ato3","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The BYD Ato3 is an electric vehicle from Chinese manufacturer BYD, known for its competitive pricing and solid electric range, making it a notable alternative in the EV market.","simplifiedExplanation":"The BYD Ato3 is an electric car made by a Chinese company called BYD. It is cheaper than some other electric cars but still has a good driving range."}},{"startTime":1356.2,"endTime":1364.8,"type":"term","title":"0-62 time","url":"/glossary/0-62-time","quote":"The press release says that it's got a 0-62 time of 5.5 seconds on the single motor and that jumps to 3.9 seconds if you're using the excellence","canonicalId":"term:0-62-time","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"0-62 time refers to the time it takes a car to accelerate from 0 to 62 miles per hour (approximately 0 to 100 km/h), a common performance metric for vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"0-62 time is how fast a car can go from standing still to about 62 miles per hour, which shows how quickly it can speed up."}},{"startTime":1416.9,"endTime":1429.7,"type":"term","title":"boot","url":"/glossary/boot","quote":"The boot now comes in at 490 litres which is 50 litres bigger than the last one. It's much more impressive. It's got in terms of the boot size and batteries do take up a lot of space.","canonicalId":"term:boot","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Boot refers to the storage compartment or trunk of a car, where luggage and other items can be stored. In electric vehicles, battery placement can affect boot size.","simplifiedExplanation":"The boot is the back part of the car where you put your bags and stuff."}},{"startTime":1477.0,"endTime":1481.8,"type":"term","title":"charging infrastructure","url":"/glossary/charging-infrastructure","quote":"There's so many variables around charging infrastructure and everyone's individual case is so unique now. I'm not sure that if you buy a BMW you're going to get 560 odd mile range out of it.","canonicalId":"term:charging-infrastructure","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Charging infrastructure refers to the network of electric vehicle charging stations and equipment that allow EV owners to recharge their vehicles, including home chargers and public fast chargers.","simplifiedExplanation":"Charging infrastructure means all the places and equipment where you can plug in and charge an electric car."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Primetime EV","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/new-bmw-i3/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}