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      07-29-2014, 09:12 AM   #1
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Post BMW Unveils BMW i DC Fast Chargers and ChargeNow DC Fast program

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BMW Unveils BMW i DC Fast Chargers and ChargeNow DC Fast program
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BMW Unveils BMW i DC Fast Chargers and ChargeNow DC Fast program at Plug-In 2014.

  • BMW i DC Fast Chargers, developed in collaboration with Bosch Automotive Service Solutions, are half the size of current DC Combo fast chargers, compatible with multiple electric vehicles and significantly more affordable.
  • BMW i DC Fast Chargers run on the ChargePoint network giving BMW i3 drivers access with a ChargePoint or ChargeNow card.
  • ChargeNow DC Fast enables BMW i3 drivers to charge at no cost, at participating NRG eVgo Freedom Stations equipped with DC Combo Fast Charging, through 2015.


San Jose, CA/Woodcliff Lake, NJ – July 28, 2014… At Plug-In 2014, a conference dedicated to discussing key issues for the long-term success of electric vehicles, BMW of North America launched its BMW i DC Fast Chargers which can charge the BMW i3 all-electric vehicle’s battery up to 80 percent in 30 minutes. A joint development between BMW and Bosch Automotive Service Solutions, BMW i DC Fast Chargers will change the face of public charging as the first compact and affordable DC Combo fast charger. The first BMW i DC Fast Charger will be on display at Plug-In 2014 on July 28 at the San Jose Convention Center. BMW also announced its new ChargeNow DC Fast program in cooperation with NRG eVgo, in which BMW i3 drivers in California can enjoy no cost unlimited 30 minute DC fast charging, at NRG eVgo Freedom Station® sites equipped with DC Combo Fast Charging, through 2015.

Introducing the BMW i DC Fast Charger
Conventional DC fast chargers are about the size of a standard refrigerator, cost tens of thousands of dollars and require a significant amount of electricity. Half the size of a traditional electric vehicle DC charger – measuring 31”H x 19”W x 12”D and weighing approximately 100 pounds – BMW i DC Fast Chargers can be mounted on a wall, a first for electric vehicle DC fast chargers. In addition, BMW i DC Fast Chargers will be priced significantly less than other DC Combo chargers in the market at $6,548 for authorized BMW partners.

“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. “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.”

The 24 kW DC Fast Charger feeds the current directly to the vehicle’s battery, resulting in a more efficient and faster charge. BMW i DC Fast Chargers use the SAE Combo 1 connector, the North American automotive industry standard for fast charging; feature a rugged aluminum IP54 enclosure; meet NEMA 3 requirements; and are designed to perform in extreme weather conditions, from -40°F to 185°F. Additionally, the BMW i DC Fast Charger is ChargePoint network-enabled, allowing electric vehicle drivers with the SAE Combo 1 inlet to access the BMW i DC Fast Charger using a ChargePoint or ChargeNow card. Major automakers including BMW, GM, Ford, Chrysler, Daimler, Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche have committed to adopting the SAE Combo 1 inlet for DC charging.
The BMW i DC Fast Chargers will be available for BMW i Centers across the U.S. beginning in August.

Introducing ChargeNow DC Fast for BMW i3 Drivers
In keeping with its holistic approach to making DC fast charging more accessible and, in turn, increasing the adoption of electric vehicles, BMW, in cooperation with NRG eVgo, will offer no cost charging to BMW i3 drivers at participating eVgo Freedom Station sites equipped with DC Combo Fast Charging in California through 2015.

Using their ChargeNow cards, BMW i3 drivers will have access to unlimited 30-minute DC fast charging sessions with the ChargeNow DC Fast program. BMW i3 owners can sign up easily for ChargeNow DC Fast at chargenow.com/us. In order to receive the full benefits of the program, BMW i3 drivers must use the ChargeNow card, provided with their BMW i3, to charge the vehicle at least once by December 31, 2014, at a participating eVgo Freedom Station. By doing so, BMW i3 drivers will enjoy continued access to no cost DC charging sessions through the end of 2015. Eligible BMW i3 vehicles must be equipped with the DC Fast Charging option (SAE).

“We’re confident the rapidly-expanding NRG eVgo DC Fast Charging network will provide significant benefits to BMW i3 drivers in California,” continued Mr. Healey. “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.”

eVgo will deploy a minimum of 100 BMW i3 compatible DC Fast Chargers across California to support the ChargeNow DC Fast Program.

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      07-29-2014, 10:34 AM   #2
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It will take quite some time before that new plug is the standard !
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      07-29-2014, 10:54 AM   #3
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Actually, that plug IS the SAE standard, which is why BMW waited until now to offer it.
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      07-29-2014, 01:39 PM   #4
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I think it's great that the combo plug is starting to be deployed. But 24 kw? Chademo is twice that. Not to mention Tesla which is 5 times that. Why so low power?
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      07-29-2014, 02:44 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by matbl View Post
I think it's great that the combo plug is starting to be deployed. But 24 kw? Chademo is twice that. Not to mention Tesla which is 5 times that. Why so low power?
That's what keeps the price down. You won't get 80% in 20-minutes like you can at a 'full' rate, but its over 3x faster than a standard level 2 EVSE.
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      07-30-2014, 01:29 PM   #6
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Ok, got it. In Europe, many existing public chargers are 22kw AC. So then 24kw dc doesn't really add much.
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      07-30-2014, 05:06 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by matbl View Post
Ok, got it. In Europe, many existing public chargers are 22kw AC. So then 24kw dc doesn't really add much.
Lucky! Here in New York im lucky to see above 7! Average is in the 5-6 Range.

Sucks that its california only for now, with BMW in Woodcliff Lake I wouldve expected a New York program too.
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      07-31-2014, 09:34 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BrokenVert View Post
Lucky! Here in New York im lucky to see above 7! Average is in the 5-6 Range.

Sucks that its california only for now, with BMW in Woodcliff Lake I wouldve expected a New York program too.

I think you are looking at it wrong, i3 will only charge at 7.4 kw on AC, but on DC it charges direct without the 7.4 kw limit. 7.4 kw fast charging Ac charges from empty in 3.5 hrs, while the 24kw Dc should do a full charge in about 35 min.
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      07-31-2014, 09:51 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by mindmachine View Post
I think you are looking at it wrong, i3 will only charge at 7.4 kw on AC, but on DC it charges direct without the 7.4 kw limit. 7.4 kw fast charging Ac charges from empty in 3.5 hrs, while the 24kw Dc should do a full charge in about 35 min.
He said that in his area there are 22kW AC public chargers. Im lucky to see my i3 draw 7 on AC public chargers. So im calling him lucky.

The station is no longer there, but I once had my ActiveE draw 9! That was a good day.
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      07-31-2014, 01:39 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BrokenVert View Post
He said that in his area there are 22kW AC public chargers. Im lucky to see my i3 draw 7 on AC public chargers. So im calling him lucky.

The station is no longer there, but I once had my ActiveE draw 9! That was a good day.
Yes there is. If the i3 can only use 7 of the 22 kw I would call the i3 badly designed to only allow single phase AC-charging.
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      07-31-2014, 01:42 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by matbl View Post
Yes there is. If the i3 can only use 7 of the 22 kw I would call the i3 badly designed to only allow single phase AC-charging.
Its dependent on the electrical system capacity of the building the charger is attached to, especially in NYC where we have voltage and amperage fluctuations constantly depending on system load.

Its not a car thing, its a power supply thing. Most electric cars, in my experience, charge at around 5-8 kW on J1772 plugs
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      07-31-2014, 06:54 PM   #12
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Its not something someone can put at their house. The DC charging requires 440v 3phase.
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      07-31-2014, 10:45 PM   #13
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People don't always realize that the actual charging circuits are built INTO the car, the EVSE is basically a fancy on/off switch with a dedicated extension cord attached. The fact that it may have more power than the car can use is essentially the same thing when you plug your phone charger into a socket that COULD supply 15A, when it only draws one amp to recharge the phone.

Now, a DC fast charger is a bit different story, but there's still a limit on how much the vehicle can absorb, so it can still limit the rate at which it goes into the batteries. The difference is, you're not using the AC-DC converter in the car, which is the limiting factor when using AC as the input. TO get the maximum rate DC fast charge on the i3, you need a unit capable of 50Kwhr output, and again, they are not all created equal, but the i3 will not draw more current with any connection than the computer is programmed to allow.

Bigger in vehicle converter would be more expensive, bigger, produce more heat, and as with anything, there are compromises. Personally, I think BMW got it about right, but somewhat question their decision to use a lower-power DC fast charger as their lower-cost option. It won't be able to recharge the vehicle in the 30-minute timeframe of a 'full size' one, just like what happens when you use a lower powered EVSE.
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