A year after its launch in November 2013, the BMW i3 has already sold more than 12,000 units, which makes it the third best-selling all-electric model today. In fact, BMW concedes that demand exceeds even its own expectations.

Moreover, it has picked up a string of awards, the latest being announced today. BMW’s premium EV won the Green Car Award 2015 that was presented at the Los Angeles Auto Show by the Green Car Journal, which specializes on sustainable, efficiency-enhancing technologies in the automotive industry and has been hosting the award since 2005.

The Munich-based automaker claims that the i3 has been praised by early adopters not just for its zero emissions but also for its brisk performance, courtesy of the 170HP electric motor.

Other features that stand out are the CFRP passenger cell, the renewable materials used in the cabin, the connectivity options and the futuristic shape. Most owners use the i3 for commuting to and from work, as well as urban driving, and they usually charge the lithium-ion battery overnight at their home.

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