TIt’s a problem facing all electric car manufacturers: if you want to sell high-powered electric cars, the charging infrastructure must be in place but nobody wants to provide that infrastructure until the cars are there to use it.
Last week BMW South Africa and Nigeria announced a partnership with Schneider Electric to make both happen simultaneously.
BMW South Africa has partnered with Schneider Electric on the requisite charging technology prior to the early 2015 launch of the i3 electric and the i8 hybrid cars, according to a Creamer Media video.
The agreement includes checking the electrical installation in customers’ homes; supplying, installing and maintaining their wall box charging points; and maintaining other services for BMW i cars, according to
IndependentOnline.
That’ll allow BMW i3 or BMW i8 owners to hook up their cars and recharge them while they’re at home or in the office. The goal is for efficient, dedicated, and user-friendly charging facilities to be available for installation in office parking areas and home garages by the time the i3 is launched locally – scheduled for March or April of 2015.
BMW is adopting an all-round approach to electric mobility, offering more than just a battery-powered car, said Antonio Antela Martinez, BMW South Africa marketing director.
“During our all pilot testing all over the world we listened to our customers,” he said. “What they want is 360-degree electric solutions that cater to all the requirements of electric driving.
“So we see the professional installation of a wallbox as a key factor in marketing electric vehicles — which is where Schneider Electric comes in.”
Schneider will work with BMW customers and sales staff; the installation package will be supplied by Schneider but managed by BMW, and can be customized.
The four-seater i3 is intended as urban transportation. It weighs 1195 kilograms (2635 pounds) and its electric motor delivers 125 kW and 250Nm, according to
IndependentOnline.
It will accelerate from zero to 100km/h (62 miles per hour) in 7.2 seconds, the manufacturer says. BMW quotes a range of 130 to 160 kilometers in everyday conditions. The i3 will also be available in South Africa with a range-extender gasoline engine that will stretch the car’s reach to about 300 kilometers (186 miles).
Drivers will be able to “recharge” at any gas stations.