BMW i and EVgo expanding ChargeNow DC Fast program; 500 more fast chargers in US; no-cost DC and Level 2 for BMW i3 drivers
18 November 2015
At the Los Angeles Auto Show, BMW of North America announced, in cooperation with NRG EVgo, the expansion of the ChargeNow DC Fast program. (Earlier post.) As part of its ongoing commitment to the growth of a robust public DC Fast charging infrastructure, BMW is supporting EVgo’s installation of an incremental 500 DC Fast Combo chargers, to benefit BMW i3 customers and all EV drivers in the US with DC Fast Combo charging capability. ChargeNow DC Fast also includes two years of no-cost charging for qualifying BMW i3 drivers in those areas.
Eligible BMW i3 customers in ChargeNow DC Fast markets, who purchase or lease the BMW i3 on or after 1 November 2015, from a BMW i Center can enroll in the program. Program participants can enjoy unlimited no-cost 30-minute DC Fast Combo charging and no-cost 1 hour Level 2 charging for their BMW i3, at EVgo Stations, for 24 months from date of enrollment at chargenow.com/us. Customers use the complimentary ChargeNow cards (included with the BMW i3 vehicle) to access the no-cost charging sessions.
With the growth of EV sales, there is increasing demand among drivers for more publicly available, strategically located DC Fast charging stations to facilitate longer distance EV travel. A BMW i3 vehicle can charge up to 80% in just 20-30 minutes using a DC Fast Combo charger.
This significant expansion in the number as well as the locations of publicly available DC Fast Combo chargers further affirms BMW’s commitment to e-mobility and will make EV ownership even more enjoyable for BMW i3 drivers. With ChargeNow DC Fast, BMW i3 owners can experience range confidence resulting from convenient, quicker DC Fast charging on the go, making longer EV trips more practical. The no cost charging sessions for BMW i3 drivers will become even more valuable over time, as more of these DC Fast Combo chargers become available.
—Rob Healey, Head of EV Infrastructure for BMW of North America
ChargeNow DC Fast, originally introduced in July 2014, resulted in the successful installation of 100 EVgo Stations with DC Fast Combo charging, throughout California, while providing BMW i3 owners with no-cost access to the stations. Each fast charging location includes up to two 50 kW DC fast chargers or 24 kW DC fast chargers with the SAE Combo connector. The 50 kW fast chargers will also have a CHAdeMO connector available, while the 24 kW units will be SAE Combo only, at least to start.
With BMW’s continued support, EVgo plans to install 500 additional DC Fast Combo chargers by the end of 2018, with more than 600 charging stations in operation. By the end of 2015, EVgo expects to have nearly 50 of the additional chargers installed, with at least one such charger in each market (excluding Portland).
The first phase of ChargeNow DC Fast introduced one card, one account public charging network interoperability, as BMW i3 drivers in California to access DC Fast Combo charging sessions at EVgo Stations, using the ChargeNow card. The program expansion extends network interoperability even further as customers across the US use the ChargeNow card to access both DC Fast Combo and Level 2 charging sessions at EVgo Stations.
ChargeNow DC Fast markets include:
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Boston, MA
- Chicago, IL
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Fresno, CA
- Houston, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
- Miami, FL
- Monterey, CA
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
- Orlando, FL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Portland, OR
- Raleigh, NC
- Sacramento, CA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Santa Barbara, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Washington, DC
Next generation, 800 VDC, 240 KW, quick chargers will be available soon?
Posted by: HarveyD | 18 November 2015 at 12:18 PM
Most of the packs are under 400 volts, so 800 volts does not make sense. Audi is announcing 150 kW charging, getting 50 kWh in 20 minutes might interest people.
Posted by: SJC | 18 November 2015 at 02:30 PM