BMW install first public charging station for electric vehicles!
In Johannesburg – BMW has installed its first charging station for electric vehicles, as the first phase of its public charging infrastructure roll-out!
Located amongst the bustling shopping precinct of Melrose Arch, Johannesburg – the alternating current (AC) charging station – features two parking bays for the exclusive use of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
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Tim Abbott, Managing Director of BMW Group South Africa, believes that the key to the success of BMW’s electro mobility strategy will be the ease and convenience in which a driver will have access to a public charging station.
“In order for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to be successful, we need to firstly increase consumer confidence in the viability of electric vehicles and secondly make public charging easily accessible for customers who purchase these cars. This public charging station is the first of three that we will be installing in the Melrose Arch precinct over the next two months. Similar projects will also be introduced in the future in major metropolis throughout South Africa.”
Abbott adds that Melrose Arch is the ideal location for the charging station as it is centrally located in a burgeoning and bustling precinct.
“Our strategy is to locate charging stations in central areas like shopping centers where customers spend most of their time and can enjoy the convenience of quickly charging their cars while they are shopping or enjoying a meal in the surrounding restaurants.”
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An AC charging station can charge an electric vehicle – such as the BMW i3 – to approximately 80% battery charge in just under two and half hours. Enough time to do any shopping you may need to and return to your electric vehicle, ready to go.
The newly erected charging station features two parking bays clearly designated with signage that will be featured at all future BMW public charging stations.
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“The signage is simple and clearly indicates firstly that the designated area is an electric vehicle and plug-in electrical vehicle charging facility, the type of charger it is and what cars can use it.”
The BMW i3 and BMW i8 were introduced in South Africa in March this year. With just six months on the market, 150 units of these models have been delivered to local customers. Both models have received global recognition for their innovative technology and low carbon emissions. In 2014, the BMW i3 was named the Green Car of the Year by the Green Car Journal, and the BMW i8 in turn was named the 2015 World Green Car of the Year.