BMW Develops Fast Charging System
BMW has developed a new fast charging system that can restore the battery in its i3 all-electric vehicle to 80 percent in 30 minutes, the automaker announced.

Photo courtesy of BMW.

Photo courtesy of BMW.
BMW has developed a new fast charging system that can restore the battery in its i3 all-electric vehicle to 80 percent in 30 minutes, the automaker announced.
The BMW i DC Fast Charger was developed through a joint venture between BMW and Bosch Automotive Service Solutions. The first unit will go on display Tuesday during Plug-In 2014 at the San Jose Convention Center.
The units, which are half the size of a traditional electric vehicle DC charger (at 31 inches tall, 19 inches wide and 12 inches deep), and can be mounted on a wall, will cost $6,548 each for authorized BMW partners.
BMW has also announced its new “ChargeNow DC Fast” program, in cooperation with NRG eVgo that will allow 30 minutes of no-cost charging for BMW i3 drivers in California through 2015 at eVgo Freedom Station sites equipped with the DC Combo Fast Charging system. A minimum of 100 chargers will be deployed across the state to support the ChargeNow program.
“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,” said Robert Healey, EV infrastructure manager, at BMW of North America.
The BMW i DC Fast Chargers will be available for BMW i Centers across the U.S. beginning in August.
More Green Fleet

EV Charging Use Is Outpacing Infrastructure Growth
ChargePoint’s 2026 Charging Forward Report points to rising charger use, higher-powered charging, commercial vehicle electrification, and energy-management technology. Here’s what fleets should know.
Read More →
Merchants Fleet Reports 290M EV Miles as Fleets Navigate Changing Electrification Market
From millions in operating savings to hundreds of millions of EV miles, Merchants Fleet’s latest report reveals what’s working and what’s changing in fleet electrification.
Read More →
The EV Breakdown Nobody's Talking About: Why Most Electric Vehicle Roadside Calls Aren't Mechanical Failures
Here's why EV breakdowns are widely misunderstood.
Read More →
ChargePoint Now Available in Energy Pass
ChargePoint and additional planned charging network integrations were added to GM's Energy Pass.
Read More →First Look: Slate Auto's Electric Fleet Pickup
Could an affordable, modular EV pickup make electrification more practical for fleets?
Read More →
Slate Debuts Colorful, Unique EV Models
A recent media and client event, studded with electric vehicles dressed up on platforms, planted a new position for the manufacturer in the wider EV market. Fleets will find cost-saving advantages.
Read More →
Slate Electric SUV, Pickup Switchable Model Aims For Light-Duty Fleets
Everything about this EV is counterintuitive and understated, making it stand out from the crowd.
Read More →
Inspiration Mobility Acquires Key Electrada Assets
Inspiration Mobility Group has acquired select assets of Electrada, adding the fleet electrification provider's team, technology, and charging infrastructure development capabilities to its energy management business.
Read More →
Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter
Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.
Read More →
