Photo: bmw
BMW said from the beginning that their first ever EV model will be designed for inner city usage alone but seeing as a lot of people have been complaining about the lack of mobility using their car, a new solution was needed. Apart from offering customers the chance to rent a conventional BMW for their longer trips, the company now wants to create a fast charging network along the main coastal roads.
In this endeavor, the Bavarians joined forces with another German company, Volkswagen but also with ChargePoint. The result is a project that aims at creating nearly 100 DC fast chargers to support long distance travel in the i3, VW e-Golf and other electric cars.
The new chargers will be installed along the most heavily populated and highly-trafficked regions on Interstate 95 on the east coast (from Boston to Washington DC) and on the west coast covering and connecting Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. In between the charging points you’ll only have to cover up to 50 miles (80 km) but the best bit of news is that these new outlets will also be located in metropolitan areas for residents.
“A robust network of conveniently located DC Fast charging stations will go a long way toward increasing electric vehicle adoption and making electric vehicle ownership even more enjoyable,” said Robert Healey, Head of EV Infrastructure at BMW of North America.
“The express charging corridors are another important step in the development of the U.S. e-mobility infrastructure that makes longer distance travel a real option for consumers, particularly along the most heavily trafficked portions of both coasts—making the BMW i3 and other electric vehicles even more appealing,” he added.
At a 50 kW charger, the i3 can be charged up to 80 percent in around 20 minutes while a 24 kW station will do the same in 30 minutes. That’s for the fortunate case, however.
If you’re going to use a Level 2 charger, the charging rate goes down to 3.5 or 4 hours until a full battery is achieved, for both the BMW and e-Golf. Yes, it is a lot of time to spend in a parking lot.
That’s why the locations will be chosen to lessen the wait. The installations have begun already and by the end of 2015 all 100 DC fast charging spots should be done. They will also be installed near restaurants, shopping centers and rest stops.
The new chargers will be installed along the most heavily populated and highly-trafficked regions on Interstate 95 on the east coast (from Boston to Washington DC) and on the west coast covering and connecting Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. In between the charging points you’ll only have to cover up to 50 miles (80 km) but the best bit of news is that these new outlets will also be located in metropolitan areas for residents.
“A robust network of conveniently located DC Fast charging stations will go a long way toward increasing electric vehicle adoption and making electric vehicle ownership even more enjoyable,” said Robert Healey, Head of EV Infrastructure at BMW of North America.
“The express charging corridors are another important step in the development of the U.S. e-mobility infrastructure that makes longer distance travel a real option for consumers, particularly along the most heavily trafficked portions of both coasts—making the BMW i3 and other electric vehicles even more appealing,” he added.
20 minutes for an 80% charge
Each location will include up to two 50 kW DC Fast chargers or 24 kW DC Combo Fast chargers. Going beyond their commercial names, these chargers are actually compatible with the SAE Combo connector used in both BMW and VW cars. Other manufacturers are using it as well, so the support is there for even more EVs.At a 50 kW charger, the i3 can be charged up to 80 percent in around 20 minutes while a 24 kW station will do the same in 30 minutes. That’s for the fortunate case, however.
If you’re going to use a Level 2 charger, the charging rate goes down to 3.5 or 4 hours until a full battery is achieved, for both the BMW and e-Golf. Yes, it is a lot of time to spend in a parking lot.
That’s why the locations will be chosen to lessen the wait. The installations have begun already and by the end of 2015 all 100 DC fast charging spots should be done. They will also be installed near restaurants, shopping centers and rest stops.
Google News