Compared to the current 94Ah / 33kWh battery in the 2018 BMW i3, the new 120Ah / 42kWh BMW i3 would be able to achieve around 150 miles (241 kilometers) of combined highway/city driving per charge on the EPA test cycle, assuming no detrimental impact from a major increase in weight for the extra batteries.
The extra range keeps the BMW i3 competitive with its growing peer group of electric vehicles, which are coming in with 150–200 miles of range. This is because lower battery prices allow more range in electric vehicles at the same price point.
Eliminating the internal combustion range extender (REx) would send a signal to the world that BMW’s electric vehicles are ready to cut the tie to internal combustion engines and head off on their own, once and for all.
Typically, increases in battery capacity come at an extra cost and are slowly integrated into base models as battery pricing continues to improve. Whether or not that happens with the 120Ah i3 or if it becomes available in the base model, we will just have to wait to see.
The big factor that will dictate the competitiveness of the new build will be the price point for the long-range i3.
Reference- Cleantechnica, InsideEV’s