BMW Develops Fast Charging System

BMW has developed a new fast charging system that can restore the battery in its i3 all-electric vehicle to 80 percent in 30 minutes, the automaker announced.

The BMW i DC Fast Charger was developed through a joint venture between BMW and Bosch Automotive Service Solutions. The first unit will go on display Tuesday during Plug-In 2014 at the San Jose Convention Center.

The units, which are half the size of a traditional electric vehicle DC charger (at 31 inches tall, 19 inches wide and 12 inches deep), and can be mounted on a wall, will cost $6,548 each for authorized BMW partners.

BMW has also announced its new “ChargeNow DC Fast” program, in cooperation with NRG eVgo that will allow 30 minutes of no-cost charging for BMW i3 drivers in California through 2015 at eVgo Freedom Station sites equipped with the DC Combo Fast Charging system. A minimum of 100 chargers will be deployed across the state to support the ChargeNow program.

 “This is a milestone in the development of the DC fast charging infrastructure. With more than five years of real world experience, we understand that a robust network of publicly available DC Combo Fast Chargers is a key part of the mobility of tomorrow,” said Robert Healey, EV infrastructure manager, at BMW of North America.

The BMW i DC Fast Chargers will be available for BMW i Centers across the U.S. beginning in August.