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BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum 2017+ BMW 5 Series (G30) General Discussions 540e Hybrid

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      09-21-2015, 08:43 AM   #1
pharding
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540e Hybrid

My next 5er will be a 540e hybrid. Based upon the specifications for the 740e I will be able to make the 20 mile commute to my office in the Chicago Loop on electric only without using any gasoline with minimal air pollution in Chicago itself. It is expected that the technology will be similar to the 740e. You can read about here:
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicle...mw_edrive.html
In 2016 I am building a new garage with rooftop solar panels and lithium ion battery storage as a source of electricity for the G20 540e. As an Architect I look forward to the challenges of designing this technically advanced home for the 2017 540e.
http://simpliphipower.com/simpliphi-...international/
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      09-27-2015, 05:34 PM   #2
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Very nice!
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      10-21-2015, 11:28 PM   #3
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Very eco friendly of you! Awesome!
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      11-19-2015, 05:28 PM   #4
ando
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Can you share your plans? Will the city of Chicago approve?
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      11-23-2015, 03:11 AM   #5
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exactly what I'm doing. Replacing the X4 with 540e. Never thought about solar panels for the garage. Now I'm hooked.
Thanks, you are the man! hahaha
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      12-15-2015, 01:06 PM   #6
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The only issue with PHEV right now is that the technology is under rapid evolution which means a car today becomes crap and outdated in 2-yrs time.
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      03-09-2016, 07:39 PM   #7
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I am really looking forward to the 540e. My 6 was in the shop and I drove a X5 40e for a couple of days to experience BMW's hybrid tech. Very impressive. Just about everything exceeded my expectations. BUT, something really troubles me. The car defaulted to hybrid mode (Auto eDrive) every time. So to use it as electric only, you have to manually change the driving mode. Very annoying for those like me who want an electric only commute. It wouldn't be so bad if you could customize the Auto eDrive settings. For example, to put more emphasis on electric, use only electric under a user adjustable speed, etc. I drove over 10 miles in Auto eDrive with the cruise control set at 70 mph and the electric motor was never used once when I returned to the dealer. Battery was nearly still 100% when I got there. If it won't use the battery, what's the point?

There is no reason not to let the car stay in electric only mode or let each owner adjust the hybrid settings to meet their needs. Hopefully the 540e is different or I might be back in a 535 this fall.
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      03-11-2016, 08:35 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Krash7172 View Post
I am really looking forward to the 540e. My 6 was in the shop and I drove a X5 40e for a couple of days to experience BMW's hybrid tech. Very impressive. Just about everything exceeded my expectations. BUT, something really troubles me. The car defaulted to hybrid mode (Auto eDrive) every time. So to use it as electric only, you have to manually change the driving mode. Very annoying for those like me who want an electric only commute. It wouldn't be so bad if you could customize the Auto eDrive settings. For example, to put more emphasis on electric, use only electric under a user adjustable speed, etc. I drove over 10 miles in Auto eDrive with the cruise control set at 70 mph and the electric motor was never used once when I returned to the dealer. Battery was nearly still 100% when I got there. If it won't use the battery, what's the point?

There is no reason not to let the car stay in electric only mode or let each owner adjust the hybrid settings to meet their needs. Hopefully the 540e is different or I might be back in a 535 this fall.
Seems like a few button presses are a small price to pay.

Also, what you describe is normal behavior. The car is calculating what it views as most efficient and most beneficial use of the electric motor. Yes, you can use it on the highway, but it's saving charge for you to use once you get off the highway and closer to your destination.
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      03-11-2016, 08:39 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Krash7172
I am really looking forward to the 540e. My 6 was in the shop and I drove a X5 40e for a couple of days to experience BMW's hybrid tech. Very impressive. Just about everything exceeded my expectations. BUT, something really troubles me. The car defaulted to hybrid mode (Auto eDrive) every time. So to use it as electric only, you have to manually change the driving mode. Very annoying for those like me who want an electric only commute. It wouldn't be so bad if you could customize the Auto eDrive settings. For example, to put more emphasis on electric, use only electric under a user adjustable speed, etc. I drove over 10 miles in Auto eDrive with the cruise control set at 70 mph and the electric motor was never used once when I returned to the dealer. Battery was nearly still 100% when I got there. If it won't use the battery, what's the point?

There is no reason not to let the car stay in electric only mode or let each owner adjust the hybrid settings to meet their needs. Hopefully the 540e is different or I might be back in a 535 this fall.
I have a X5 40e and in auto e drive it stays in electric until you require heavy acceleration then the engine will come on but under light throttle I have a full electric commute to work. I don't have to switch modes. It also helps to program your destination because then the vehicle reads traffic, topography, and MPH on certain roads which helps use the hybrid system the most efficient way on your route.

BMW NA stressed that this is a really important feature in maximizing the hybrid potential.
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      03-11-2016, 12:28 PM   #10
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Everyone has a different commute. When I drove the X5 to work, it was nearly 100% electric on side streets and 100% gas on the highway which is logical for a hybrid. But when I got home, I still had over 60% battery which means I used more gas than I needed to. The only way to get the most out of the electric capacity of the vehicle is to manually put it in electric only mode every time I start it. That's a deal breaker for me.
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      03-22-2016, 01:33 AM   #11
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I think the hybrid tech. is now ready and I will strongly consider it, however the restrictions I've seen with for example the X5 need to go away first as no third row or no active roll bars etc. I understand it's packaging issues restricting it but that tells me the electric parts are still an afterthought so I'll likely stay with a gasser only until the car is designed around a hybrid drive train without compromises in sport or utility options. Let's hope that begins with the G30 ( Got to admit I have not checked what the situation is with the new seven )
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