[5] Bmw I3 | [+] MANTIS TILLER

The BMW i3 — the luxury carmaker's first all-electric car — made its world debut today.

With a 22 kWh lithium-ion battery pack for a range of 80 to 100 miles, the vehicle is expected to go on sale in the U.S. in the first half of 2014, with a price tag of about $41,350. For those worried about running out of juice, a gasoline-powered range extender is available for an extra $3,850.

"Innovation drives change. The i3 is more than just a car. It's a revolutionary step towards sustainable mobility," Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the board of BMW AG, said in a statement. "It is purpose-built around an electric power train to serve the needs of our megacity customers."

Drivers looking for a real power-boost can order the additional range-extender engine, which maintains the car's charge at a constant level as soon as the battery dips below a specified value. The extender doubles the vehicle's range, BMW said.

BMW's five-door hatchback takes about eight hours to charge via a domestic socket, or less than 30 minutes for an 80 percent charge at a 50 kW fast-charge station.

The luxury car company also claims the title of "world's first fully networked electrically powered car," with an in-car SIM card that unlocks the BMW ConnectedDrive services — the BMW i Remote app, pedestrian navigation function, and intermodal route guidance with local public transit connections.

"The BMW i3 heralds the dawn of a new era for individual mobility and for the BMW Group," Ian Robertson, member of the BMW sales and marketing team, said in a statement. "True to a genuine BMW, the BMW i3 has strong emotional appeal, outstanding product substance and a guarantee of sheer driving pleasure. With this leading-edge vehicle and attractive price, we will provide customers with a compelling offer for electromobility."

Public interest in the new vehicle is "extremely high," BMW said, adding that more than 90,000 people have already requested a test drive of the new EV. Interested motorists can request a test drive online.

Check out the BMW i3 in action in the video below.

In April 2011, the German automaker unveiled the 1-series BMW ActiveE coupe, then offered 700 vehicles to motorists around the country for a field trial, which began in January 2012. Based on the 1 Series Coupe, the 100-mile-range ActiveE combines the characteristics of a BMW with the zero-emissions benefits of an electric vehicle.

According to the Department of Energy, most electric vehicles - like the Tesla Model S, Ford Focus Electric, and Nissan Leaf - can go about 100 to 200 miles before recharging, though that obvious varies depending on traffic conditions and terrain.

For more, see PCMag's explanation of why Electric Cars Are Not the Answer, and check out five EVs that failed to go the distance in the slideshow above.

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