Learn the Secret History of BMW's First EV (W/Video)

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Though the BMW i3 is the German automaker's first commercially available EV, it isn't the brand's first ever. That distinction belongs to the experimental 1602e, an all-electric vehicle that shared a body with the classic 2002.

In a new video from BMW, the automaker explains that increasing awareness of urban pollution in the 1960s prompted it to explore electric propulsion. BMW's 02 series small sedan served as the base for the experiment, which received the designation 1602e. Only two were built. The prototype was powered by a series of 12 normal 12-volt lead-acid batteries, which were linked together to form a battery pack. This pack replaced the four-cylinder internal-combustion mill that would normally be found in the engine bay, and could be swapped out for a freshly charged pack. An electric motor from Bosch drove the rear wheels.

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With a 772-pound battery pack placed in the nose, you can guess that the 02 series' normally stellar handling was affected. Though the BMW EV wasn't quite ready for prime time in the 1970s, the top-secret prototype was the first electric vehicle from the Bavarian automaker and ultimately led to the development of modern electric BMWs like the i3 and hybrid i8.

Learn more about the BMW 1602e in the video below.

Source: BMW via YouTube