Understanding the health of your BMW i3’s battery is crucial for any electric vehicle owner. Concerns about battery degradation and range are common, especially as EVs age. Fortunately, with the right tools, like an OBD2 app, you can gain valuable insights into your BMW i3’s battery health. This article explores how OBD2 apps can be used to monitor your BMW i3 battery, understand State of Health (SOH), and what the readings might indicate.
Many BMW i3 owners are keen to track their battery’s State of Health (SOH). One owner, with a 2014 BMW i3 that recently passed 55,000 miles, reported a State of Health reading of 69% via an app. This sparked concern, as it seemed low for a vehicle still under warranty. While the current range remains adequate for their needs, the owner is understandably looking ahead, hoping for future battery upgrades or range extension options from BMW.
OBD2 apps, such as the “Electrified” app mentioned by the BMW i3 owner, along with tools like “Batt Kapa Max,” can provide data related to battery capacity and SOH. In this specific case, the Electrified app and Batt Kapa Max readings showed slightly different percentages, with Batt Kapa Max suggesting a SOH around 70.2% based on a reading of 13.2 kWh against an original usable capacity of 18.8 kWh. This discrepancy highlights that while these apps offer valuable insights, readings might vary slightly depending on the tool and calculation methods.
It’s interesting to note the owner’s experience with official BMW service. During a routine brake fluid change, they requested a battery health check. BMW stated the battery ‘passed’ but provided minimal details and did not perform the comprehensive battery rundown test some owners have reported. Instead, it seems the information BMW provided might be similar to what’s accessible through OBD2 apps like Electrified. This raises the question of how much more detailed information owners can access themselves using these apps compared to standard dealer checks.
For BMW i3 owners concerned about battery longevity and range, exploring OBD2 apps can be a proactive step. These apps offer a window into your battery’s health, providing data that can help you understand its condition beyond a basic “pass/fail” assessment. While not a replacement for professional diagnostics, OBD2 apps serve as a valuable tool for informed EV ownership and monitoring the long-term health of your BMW i3’s battery.
