BMW electric i3 coming next year at $42,225

James R. Healey | USA TODAY

BMW says its i3 electric car will start at $42,225 when it goes on sale in the U.S. the second quarter next year.

The car will be shown publicly for the first time in simultaneous unveilings July 29 in New York, London and Beijing. Concepts versions have been on display at auto shows since 2011.

Some buyers will qualify for a federal income tax credit of $7,500 and additional city and state incentives.

Ford's Focus electric, the closest in price to the i3, is $35,995 including shipping for the 2014 models going on sale very soon. That's a $4,000 cut from the price of the 2013s because wanted to keep the model price-competitive.

Nissan Leaf battery car and Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric both have sliced prices because demand is less than expected.

BMW intends to make "i" the sub-brand designation for its electrified cars.

BMW says the i3's electric motor will deliver 170 horsepower, 184 pounds-feet of torque and have a range of 80 to 100 miles from its 22-kilowatt-hour (kwh) lithium-ion battery.

Smaller outside than the 3-series gasoline cars, but as roomy inside, the automaker says, It will have a turning circle diameter of 32.3 feet, BMW says -- about 5 ft. tighter than a mid-size family car, making the i3 a good candidate for parking and maneuvering in crowded areas.

The car will have a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic passenger compartment, mounted on an aluminum chassis. Carbon fiber is used for race-car bodies because it's lightweight. More commonly, it's used for fishing rods and other sporting gear.

BMW gives no recharging time on conventional charging systems, but says the new "DC Combo" setups that should be on the market later this year will refill a fully drained battery to 80% charge in 20 minutes.