Today from Plug-In 2014 in San Jose, BMW announced a new DC fast charging unit that can top up an all-electric i3 to 80% in about 30 minutes.
BMW i DC Wall Box, About A Fifth The Price Of A Traditional Fast Charger
Why is that significant?
Well, acquiring and setting up a conventional DC fast charger is a very daunting proposition. They are traditionally very large units (BMW likens them to refrigerators), very expensive (costs upwards of "tens of thousands"), are difficult logistically to get installed, but also draw a lot of extra power that most EVs really don't need and/or can handle.
The BMW i DC Fast Charger developed with Bosch Automotive Service Solutions is nothing like that.
The cost is just $6,458, it puts out 24 kW of power, the unit measures just 31"H x 19" wide and 12" deep.
“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.
BMW is offering the BMW i DC Fast Charger at an appealing price point, and more manageable size, to make the convenience of DC fast charging more accessible for BMW i3 owners.” - .
It should be noted that as BMW is a CCS (Combo) partner, this unit uses a SAE Combo 1 Inlet. This new unit should go a long way in aided the newer standard make a dent in the CHAdeMO dominated landscape. GM, Ford, Chrysler, Daimler, Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche have also signed on to the new standard.
BMW says the unit will function normally in a wide range of weather temperatures, from -40°F to 185°F. Expect to see the first units show up next month at BMW's "i Dealers" - which make up about 85% of the 34o dealers in the US
The BMW i DC Fast Charger is already ChargePoint network-enabled, which means you can use their ChargePoint or ChargeNow Card.
"Fill 'Er Up" (from Plug-In 2014 In San Jose)
Separately, BMW announced that when using the new ChargeNow cards, BMW i3 drivers will also get 30 minutes of free charging as part of the "ChargeNow DC Fast Program" at participating eVgo Freedom Station sites equipped with DC Combo Fast Charging in California through 2015.
Ye Olde Specs On The BMW I DC Fast Charger (click to enlarge)
eVgo has aid that they will deploy a minimum of 100 BMW i3 compatible DC Fast Chargers across California to support the ChargeNow DC Fast Program (and possibly their legal obligations to the State)
“We’re confident the rapidly-expanding NRG eVgo DC Fast Charging network will provide significant benefits to BMW i3 drivers in California. With the cooperation between ChargePoint and NRG eVgo, ChargeNow DC Fast brings us closer to the reality of one card, one account public charging network interoperability,” continued Mr. Healey.
The first BMW i DC Fast Charger is display at Plug-In 2014 happening now at the San Jose Convention Center. And because we just happen to be at the event, we have some shots we took of the unit in action...as well as Mr. Healey operating them.
16 BMW X16 SUV starts at 1616 Roadshow
BMW's new subscription service launches as pilot in Nashville
16 BMW X16 True Cost to Own Edmunds
16 BMW M16i Pricing MTweaked SixCylinder 16series
16 BMW M16 and M16 AWD Models Cost 16100 Extra
16 BMW 16 Series Carries A SixFigure Price Tag CarBuzz
16 BMW X16 Invoice Price Dealer Cost amp MSRP rydeshopper
16 BMW X16 M160i Prices Reviews and Pictures Edmunds
16 BMW 16 Series True Cost to Own Edmunds
BMW i16 Prices Reviews and New Model Information
16 BMW X16 M16i Prices Reviews and Pictures Edmunds
16 BMW 16 Series True Cost to Own Edmunds
Bmw Price in India 16 Wiki Models Mileage Model Interior
Why You Should Never Buy a BMW 16 Series Brand New
16 BMW i16 True Cost to Own Edmunds
Is It Worth It 16 BMW 16e PlugIn Hybrid Will Cost You 1616k