BMW has been talking about introducing a higher capacity battery pack for a while now. At first, we were talking about a roughly 25% improvement on the EPA-rated range of 81 miles, which would have increased the range to about 100 miles.

Later, the increase was then said to be closer to about a 50% increase based on comments by BMW AG board member Ian Robertson. It looks like BMW is now sticking to that number and even used it to advertise the next generation, which should be made available this summer.

BMW i owners are reporting having received mailers from the automaker to advertise the upcoming 2017 BMW i3 with “50% more range” and as arriving in July – in the UK at least.

New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) should list the new range at around 150 miles on a single charge, while the EPA-rated range should achieve around 120 miles. It’s consistent with what Robertson suggested earlier this year.

The new range is expected to be achieved with higher energy density cells.

Some of the mailers were shared on the BMW i3 Facebook group (via InsideEVs)

BMW dealers in the UK are saying that the battery upgrade, which is expected to include DC fast-charging capability, will add £1,350 ($1,950 USD) to the price tag. The BMW i3 currently starts at $42,275 in the US and £25,680 in the UK.

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