BMW i is expanding its engagement in electric mobility with the new BMW Digital Charging Service (DCS).
The intelligent service for predictive, convenient, cost-effective and green power-optimized charging is connecting vehicles with the world of energy. Thus BMW i is the first automobile manufacturer to offer its customers a system that intelligently incorporates charging into everyday life and at the same time helps to considerably reduce charging costs.
The Digital Charging Service optimizes charging technology for BMW i and BMW iPerformance vehicles and will be extended in a later phase to other brands. Pilot markets for the new service are Germany and the Netherlands in early 2017, subsequently more countries will follow.
After activation, the service carries out the charging process fully independently and autonomously. The BMW Digital Charging Service is based on two core functions: Tariff and solar optimized vehicle charging. In the case of tariff-optimized charging, the BMW Digital Charging Service aligns the charging plan to the customer’s electricity tariff.
Cost-efficiency of the charging process is improved and the vehicle is automatically charged at the lowest electricity rates. In selected markets, BMW i cooperates with innovative energy providers, so that customers are even able to receive cost reimbursements. In the case of solar-optimized charging, the BMW Digital Charging Service is aligned to the domestic photovoltaic system. DCS predicts the solar power based on the weather-forecast and the output of the installed photovoltaic system specified by the customer and establishes a charging plan. In this way, the amount of electricity not consumed at the time of being generated in the home can also be used for cost-efficient charging of the electric vehicle. The vehicle is automatically charged in optimum combination with the self-generated solar power.
The new service is part of BMW 360° ELECTRIC portfolio. BMW i customers can activate the service in their BMW ConnectedDrive portal.
Under the 360°ELECTRIC label, BMW i integrates a wide range of products and services which go beyond the electric car itself and pave the way to emissions-free mobility. The integration of the energy sector as a next consequent step within the further development of electromobility is key in the BMW Group strategy.
The BMW Digital Charging Service is the result of broad research and cooperation-projects in the USA (BMW ChargeForward) and Germany (eMOBILie).
BMW i is also launching two additional BMW i Wallbox models for convenient and fast charging in the garage at home or in the private parking space. With further developed charging electronics, they are now able to handle three-phase charging currents of up to 22 kW.
The top-of-the-range model is the BMW i Wallbox Connect, which features a factory-set WiFi connection and is therefore a match for the Digital Charging Service. Furthermore, it is not only possible to record the amount of electricity generated via the BMW i Wallbox Connect separately for each vehicle but also to export the data following the charging process, which is, for example, essential for recording charging costs.
