From the first electric BMW, a 1972 1602e, to the launch of the i3 a decade ago, the electrification of road vehicles is nothing new for the BMW Group, now celebrating over 50 years of electric mobility.
The BMW E2 built by BMW Designworks originally presented at the 1992 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, showcasing BMW’s vision for city life, is now on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles as part of an exhibit titled ‘Alternating Currents: The Fall and Rise of Electric Vehicles‘.
In response to proposed California emissions standards, which would mandate that EVs account for 2% of a manufacturer’s sales from 1998 onwards, BMW constructed this variation of its E1 concept tailored specifically to the US market. The E2 represented BMW’s vision of an EV for city living, with seating for four and storage in the rear. Although the regulations were delayed due to a lag in the development of battery technology, and the E1 and E2 were not produced, the vehicles influenced the later BMW i3.
Be sure to check out the E2 concept at the Petersen Automotive Museum, and watch the video they’ve put together below.
Read more about BMW electric cars, and concept cars of the past and present.
Tags: BMW Designworks Concept car E1 E2 electric i3 Petersen Museum