A 2018 BMW i3s REX deployed as a high-efficiency commuter vehicle — giving the Toyota Tundra "TundrINator" a rest from daily driving. The result: extraordinary real-world MPG numbers that challenge what's possible from a production car.
Most people use their primary vehicle for everything — long hauls, quick errands, daily commutes. The Breather strategy flips this: deploy a high-efficiency second vehicle for short daily drives, letting your main truck rest while massively reducing fuel costs and wear.
The BMW i3s REX is ideal for this role. Running primarily on battery (charged overnight), it consumes virtually no gasoline on short trips. Only when the battery depletes does its tiny 647cc range-extender engine kick in — resulting in reported MPG figures that seem impossible but are 100% real.
The Toyota Tundra "TundrINator" stays ready for weekend hauling, towing, and longer highway runs where the i3 would be less comfortable — a perfect division of labor.
Each trip with the REX engine barely running produces remarkable MPG figures. Short battery-only trips register 100–350+ MPG because only trace fuel is consumed.
| Date | Duration | Miles | Fuel | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 11 | 9 min | 4.71 mi | 0.02 gal | 192 MPG |
| Jul 10 PM | 8 min | 3.65 mi | 0.01 gal | 344 MPG ★ |
| Jul 10 PM | 15 min | 4.93 mi | 0.02 gal | 201 MPG |
| Jul 10 AM | 13 min | 7.94 mi | 0.03 gal | 231 MPG |
| Jul 9 | 13 min | 5.67 mi | 0.03 gal | 209 MPG |
| Jul 22–24 | 31h 39m | 1,436 mi | 24.4 gal | 59 MPG |
Official EPA ENERGY STAR certification confirming the i3 REX as a Plug-in Hybrid with 109 MPGe combined rating and SmartWay certification.
The 2018 BMW i3 (94Ah) with Range Extender holds official EPA ENERGY STAR status as a Plug-in Hybrid. Real-world Breather results dramatically exceed these already-impressive EPA figures for short urban trips.