The BMW i3 Electric Car was the most energy-efficient car sold in the U.S. this year, according to Green Car Reports. However, consumers noticed the car does not offer AM Radio.
“AM is not offered due to negative performance influences of the electromagnetic interference of the electric drivetrain. Electric motors cause interference on AM which is why BMW decided to remove this option. While it could be offered, BMW’s performance standards are very high and we don’t offer a product that meets less than those high standards,” Rebecca K. Kiehne, a BMW spokesperson, said.
Mostly every other electric or hybrid car in the industry includes AM radio and does not experience EMI issues. Even BMW’s two previously released electric cars, the MINI E and the BMW ActiveE, include AM radio. This puzzled BMW and the company looked into the issue.
The company concluded that the car’s body shell, which is made of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, could possibly be connected to the EMI. However, the company is still not fully certain why this particular model is experiencing interference issues.
“So, at least for the moment, the BMW i3 offers energy efficiency, power, and its unique optional range-extending two-cylinder engine. It just doesn’t offer AM radio,” Green Car Reports concluded.
