An interesting electric car from the famous German maker, the BMWi3 is features an onboard generator, powered by a 650cc motorcycle engine, as a range extender. This vehicle is on permanent display at Herstmonceux Museum, in East Sussex.

This vehicle was not directly connected with the generating history of Herstmonceux Museum, but operated by Bluebird Marine Systems from 2016 to 2017 from the premises, as part of the SeaVax project.

Apart from providing zero emission transport for the SeaVax project, the drivetain and control electronics were of interest to the crew, developing the famous ocean cleaning drone. Not least of which was the lithium battery, and onboard generator, included by BMW as a range extender, to quash range-anxiety. Indeed, it was possible to drive on the generator. One small niggle, being the comparatively high price of replacement parts when servicing, compared to an economy petrol car. There again, this is a BMW. Though, Europarts, and 'SeTyres' can help to ease your servicing pain, being fully qualified in that department. And of course, providing the thin-rim, large diameter tyres, these buggies run on. Our 'Setyres' is in Diplocks Way, Hailsham. Where you will also find Chandlers, the BMW dealers, should you be looking for a new motor.

At one point, BMW were hinting at a hydrogen fuel cell version of the i3. Imagine that, with a roof loaded with solar panels.

This i3 is now operated by Cleaner Ocean Foundation, working with the Museum, mainly as a zero emission shuttle service, from the Cricket car park, to the Museum along the track from the A271, west entrance from the village. The vehicle is a permanent (loan) addition to the Exhibits, for students of EVs. The car is full of delightful features, as the videos below explain.

There are several innovative vehicles and vessels on permanent display at Herstmonceux Museum, including:

1. Art Gallery - Collection of paintings, pictures, graphics, sculptures, wooden carvings & exotic glassware

2. Archives - Historic documents library, patents, trademarks, copyright, films, catalogued legal papers & letters

3. An Edwardian ice well, throwback to the days before refrigeration

4. A large underground (condensation/cooling) and water storage chamber for ice making

5. The world's smallest water basin, test tank for model boats & ships to 1:20 scale

6. World's smallest wind tunnel, vehicle drag measuring instrument using electronic strain-gauges

7. Three PV boat models, Navigator, SWATH & 2 cats + route map prior to Swiss PlanetSolar

8. Seavax, the ocean cleanup proof of concept prototype from 2016

9. AmphiMax, radio controlled (working) beach launching & recovery vehicle for SeaVax

10. Anthony the most dangerous giant Australian bulldog ant, 300 times normal size

11. EV - FCEV refueling station model in 1:20 scale

12. The only working (fully functional) water well in Herstmonceux village

13. The fountain of youth, supplied from natural well water drawn on site

14. Second World War, 'Anderson Inspired,' bomb proof shelter constructed by Major Charles de Roemer

15. City sports FCEV-BEV, hydrogen gull wing proof of concept DC50 electric car

16. Land speed record car: Bluebird-Electric BE1 (original 1st) with battery cartridge exchange

17. Land speed record car: Bluebird-Electric BE2 (original 2nd) with cartridge exchange

18. A complete mummified squirrel, found when re-roofing the Museum June 2017

19. A fully operational, and restored VW Kombi van dating from 1978 (historic vehicle)

20. BMW i3, battery electric vehicle hybrid, with onboard generator range extender

21. Solar panel, sun tracking system, with battery storage

22. A hornet's nest found on site & preserved in 2016 (reported as [Asian] invasive species, to be safe)

23. Three sewing machines, including an antique Singer and a Brother industrial.

24. Adventure climbing frames for children (back to nature) Swiss Family Robinson

25. 'Elizabeth Swann' proof of concept model 1:20 scale hydrogen powered trimaran

26. Holm oaks, planting and growing trees from acorns on site, re-wilding in Sussex