BMW’s remarkable Megacity electric car will be the world’s first mass-production vehicle with a passenger cell made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP).

Due for world launch in 2013, the Megacity is also significant because its complete powertrain – the electric motor, electronics and battery system – are being developed entirely in-house by BMW. Existing electric vehicles use components made by specialist electrical firms like Panasonic and battery specialist Bosch. 

BMW says the Megacity’s lifeDrive architecture will offset the extra 350kgs of weight inherent in electric cars. It has two modules (‘Drive’ and ‘Life’).

The ‘Drive’ module integrates the battery, drive system and structural and crash functions into a single construction within the chassis. The ‘Life’ module consists primarily of the CFRP lightweight passenger cell.

It’s a tough assignment for BMW’s engineers – their mission for the Megacity is to deliver a zero-local-emission electric vehicle with the agility of the company’s hallmark BMW ‘Driving Pleasure’.