According to Consumer Reports in an April 2015 article, the BMW i3 is the "most energy-efficient yet." (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/06/bmw-i3-electric-car-review-road-report/index.htm)
The body is made of carbon fiber, the outer panels are plastic, and the chassis is aluminum. All of this drastically reduces the weight of the car but without sacrificing rigidity and safety. You can view some videos of the production process by going to http://bmwi3.blogspot.com/2013/09/bmw-i3-production-video-series.html .
The BMW i3 is also very aerodynamic, further improving the energy efficiency. A fully concealed underbody prevents wind turbulence under the car, while
aero-flaps improve the aerodynamics of the wheel arches and side sills
behind the front wheels. This reduces wind resistance and the car’s
energy consumption, extending the range. The drag coefficient of the car is 0.29. The car with the lowest drag coefficient of any production car is the Tesla at 0.24; the BMW i3's rating makes it only 20% higher.
Environmentally, the interior is made of 25% recycled materials and any wood (optional) is from renewable natural fibers. The textile upholstery is made of up to 100 % recycled polyester,
produced using 34 % PET. A further 25 % recycled plastics are used in
the exterior.
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