The 360° electric programme gives bmw I car owners maximum support to enjoy the benefits of electric motoring.
The 360° electric programme gives bmw I car owners maximum support to enjoy the benefits of electric motoring.
You probably already know that BMW’s fully electric i3 and hybrid i8 models represent the new frontier in sustainable motoring. Not only are they visually stimulating, they promise a level of performance that will delight. Manufactured generously with sustainable hightech materials such as carbon fibre, carbon-reinforced plastics and even recycled plastics, these electric cars check all the boxes that will delight both motoring enthusiast and environmental activist.
This brings us to the central question: Where, when and how can one ensure that these cars keep their batteries charged up? Like how our smartphones are key to our daily lives, we wouldn’t want to be caught out on the road with a car running low on power. WORRY NO MORE The first of its kind for a service provider, BMW addresses this central concern among prospective owners with the comprehensive 360° Electric programme. The following four pillars make electric mobility simple and straightforward:
HOME CHARGING
Standard issue with every BMW i vehicle is the 230V i Wallbox Pure charging station, which an owner can choose to have installed at home or at the office. With a charging power of 37kW and a current strength of 16 amperes, an i3 owner would be able to fully juice up the car battery in under eight hours, or under two hours for i8 sportscars. The basic installation will be undertaken by local green services provider Greenlots following a thorough site survey by the company’s electrician. Complementing this home box is a charging cable that enables the vehicle to be charged up with any 16V power socket in emergency situations.
PUBLIC CHARGING
Like a Visa Pay-wave, but for accessing the 30-odd public charging stations currently at malls and office buildings islandwide, each BMW i car owner will receive a Chargenow card that lets them operate these stations. Administered by Greenlots, these stations can be found on the car’s BMW Navigation system Professional, complete with directions on how to get there. The best part, though, is how these charging stations are almost always located close to a lift lobby.
ASSISTANCE SERVICES
For state-of-the-art convenience, the i3 even comes with i ConnectedDrive Services that intuitively factor in the car’s remaining range and charge status, to plan the most efficient routes to the driver’s desired locations. Together with the BMW i Remote App, one can even track the car’s charge status and optimise charging efficiency. Other intelligent features, such as BMW Battery Guard, will also keep one updated on any deviations from the intended charge plan. FLEXIBLE MOBILITY BMW understands that drivers will sometimes have specific needs that could take them on longer journeys. For that, its local dealer, Performance Motors Limited, will sort this out with access to a regular petrol-driven BMW (with advance notice, of course).
MORE TO COME
As BMW’s i programme expands, more partners are coming on board to support Singapore’s growing electric vehicle and hybrid electric car population. One such example is Capitaland and Greenlots working together to provide additional charging stations at Capitaland properties in the Central Business District.
This collaboration has since been extended to suburban areas at malls like Bedok Mall, The Star Vista and Westgate. These efforts will slowly increase the number of charging stations from 30 at 20 locations to 47 across 31 public buildings by the end of 2016, with Capitaland’s support accounting for 35 per cent of that growth. Fantastic news for the growing number of BMW i adopters!
