BMW i receives “Momentum for Change” award from the United Nations (UN). BMW i at the forefront of worldwide EV charging infrastructure pilot projects. Charging like refuelling is the target.

Paris, Munich. BMW i is shaping the future of individual mobility – not only with groundbreaking products and services, but also with a global involvement in the expansion of the publicly accessible charging infrastructure for electrically powered vehicles. The Express charging corridors, an initiative to increase access to DC fast charging launched by BMW i and ChargePoint, are now being honoured with a significant accolade – the United Nations “Momentum for Change” award. The program receives the award for the efforts in providing EV drivers access to fast chargers along the heavily populated and highly trafficked regions on the east and west coast of the United States. The project is a milestone on the way to a nationwide, brand independent, standardised charging infrastructure, thereby playing a crucial role in the transition towards electric mobility in the USA. The “Momentum for Change” award is presented within the framework of the UN Climate Conference COP 21 (Conference of the Parties) being held in Paris.

By the end of 2015, nearly 100 quick charging stations will have been installed alongside the US American West Coast between Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego and along the East Coast between Washington D. C. and Boston. The charging stations are being installed at a maximum distance of 50 miles from each other, usually in rest areas and in the vicinity of shopping centres, restaurants or leisure facilities. Each station features 50 kW and 24 kW charging respectively. In case of 50 kW the standard-charging cycle e.g. for the BMW i3 only takes around 20 minutes. Special attention was paid to the aspect that all charging stations meet the worldwide CCS Standard and are usable for a wide range of EV’s, so that they cannot be used just by models of one certain brand.

In addition to the initiative on the West and East Coast of the USA, which was honoured with the “Momentum for Change” award, BMW i is also supporting a wide range of fast charging infrastructure projects on a worldwide basis, currently with a focus on North America, Europe, South Africa, China and Japan.

In total, more than 30 projects in more than 25 countries and in cooperation with more than 50 partners for more than 3.000 DC and more than 1.300 AC charging points have been initiated. Within the automotive industry, BMW i clearly leads by the multitude of pilot projects being involved. Furthermore, strategic investments by BMW i Ventures in leading brands within the charging infrastructure area, e.g. ChargePoint and Chargemaster underline the momentum of the brand for successful electro mobility. On European level, the participation in various TEN-T (Trans European Network – Transport) projects with planned 429 rapid charging points in 10 European countries are part of the BMW i engagement.

In Germany, BMW i is one of the initiators and managers of the SLAM (fast charging network for axles and metropolitan areas) initiative, which envisages the construction of 600 quick charging stations. The charging stations from the former research project with BMW i participation from the year 2012, “Fast charging of electric vehicles on the A9 motorway” between Munich and Berlin have meanwhile transferred into commercial operation.

ChargeNow by BMW i – The world’s most comprehensive charging service: Finding-using-roaming-paying at more than 38,000 charging points in 25 countries with a single customer card. 

With more than 38,000 stations run by different operators in 25 countries, the ChargeNow service comprises the world’s largest network of publically accessible charging points for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The ChargeNow card and App of the same name provide customers with convenient access to all charging stations integrated into the international network, including cashless payment and billing. The cumbersome and time consuming registration with various providers is no longer necessary. When searching and selecting a charging station belonging to the ChargeNow network drivers enjoy the integration into the navigation system and the corresponding apps.

Charging as simple as refuelling is the target.

In order to render charging in public places even more, BMW i pushes the development and standardisation of future fast charging standards above current project involvements. Target for the engineers is “charging like refuelling”. In order to reach this target, BMW i Ventures has made strategic investments into leading companies for charging operations in the USA (ChargePoint) and UK (Chargemaster).

Charging at home with intelligent charging solutions from BMW i 360° ELECTRIC: Wallbox, installation service and BMW i Green Energy.

The customer performs around 80% of the charging processes either at home or at the workplace. Available in two versions, the BMW i Wallbox is the perfect solution for convenient, safe and fast charging at home. Almost every third driver of a BMW i3 now opts for this exceptionally sophisticated charging station. In cooperation with specialized partners, BMW i also offers its customers a personal installation service.

The environmental balance of an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle is further optimized if its high-voltage battery is charged with renewable energy. Within the framework of BMW i Green Energy, customers in 15 countries now receive assistance in the use of electricity gained from regenerative sources they either acquire from energy providers or produce themselves. The partners with whom the BMW Group cooperates in this field include ten providers of green electricity as well as four manufacturers of solar power installations for carports and house and garage roofs.

With its comprehensive portfolio of products, services and piloting innovation projects BMW i demonstrates how e-mobility today already is an alternative for an increasing number of people when it comes to every day usability and advanced sustainability standards.