Originally published on CleanTechnica.
If you have or were thinking of getting a BMW i3, it should be noted that eligible BMW i3 owners in participating markets have access to 24 months of free charging sessions at participating EVgo charging stations, according to a recent press release.
BMW i3 owners enrolled in the company’s program can simply use their ChargeNow cards to gain access to unlimited 30-minute DC Fast Combo charging sessions, and to unlimited 1-hour Level 2 charging sessions.
Here’s more from the press release:
When the [2017] BMW i3 (94 Ah) is connected to a DC Fast charging station, the battery cells are charged up to 80% of their capacity in less than 40 minutes. In the BMW i3 (60 Ah) this takes approximately 25 minutes.
…Offered by BMW in cooperation with EVgo, ChargeNow DC Fast allows eligible BMW i3 drivers in participating markets to enjoy 24 months of no cost charging sessions for the BMW i3 at participating EVgo Stations.
More information can be found here.
On a related note, BMW has improved its ConnectedDrive Services offerings with the release of the 2017 BMW i3, according to the same press release. The newly improved service includes an improved “range assistant.” Here’s more:
The range assistant follows the planned and currently driven route. If the destination selected in the navigation system is beyond the car’s range, the driver receives the suggestion to shift to the ECO PRO or ECO PRO+ mode. Additionally, the system calculates a more efficient alternative route. Should it be necessary to recharge at a public charging station, the driver is shown all the available stations along the planned route.
A dynamic range map is another central element of the connected navigation unit. Apart from the current charging status of the battery, the driving style, the activated electric comfort functions and the selected driving mode, the topographic features, the current traffic situation and the outside temperature are all taken into consideration. The Advanced Real Time Traffic Information (ARTTI) data is used for this purpose. The data is provided by the BMW ConnectedDrive Server.
Nice improvements from BMW. Do these have you tempted to get an i3?
If they know about it and apply for the No Charge To Charge. The dealers don’t seem to know about it and it’s a bit of a secrest in many areas. The LEAF also can charge free and the FORD C-MAX but not the Energi or FOCUS EV? an odd mix but good if you have it.
https://www.nrgevgo.com/special-offers/
What’s to stop them from plugging in for second 30 minutes on DCFC or even third time? 22 kWh i3 would be practically full in 30 min, but the larger one may need 1 hour, and I suspect some (many?) will hog it while having others wait.