Along with the development of green cars, more and more automakers try to come up with different kind of apps that would make drivers save money.

It is also the case of the BMW luxury carmaker that has come up with a smart charging app that would give drivers the opportunity of saving money when charging their electric cars on the backyard of their house.

The BMW “i”`s owners now get their chance of using the BMW Smart Charging App, powered by Genability, that allows drivers to charge their vehicles during the moment of the day when the electricity costs less.

Thus, when charging your “i” electric car, this process could save you money, which might be around $400 per year, as representatives of the company state.

But in order to get the BMW Smart Charging App, you should lease a BMW ActiveE, or an i3 electric. Soon enough, the BMW Smart Charging App will also be available for the i8 as well, starting with 2015.

The app is simple to use, as it has to be fit to the BMW “i” Remote App, linking thus the BMW ConnectedDrive interface to let drivers monitor the charging process.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post Smart Charging App from BMW Helps You Save Money appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Not everybody knows that much about BMW’s ActiveE project, and who could blame them, as BMW seems to pile on such programs.

But if that is not common knowledge, the fact that most vehicles that partake in such programs will be recycled at the end is.

A recent picture caught on the road displays exactly that: BMW starting to recycle the converted 1 series that were used as prototypes in the ActiveE program. Many who drove such a vehicle will feel a bit sad and might be inclined to even buy these cars, but laws are pretty much clear, and the truck filled with crushed Bimmers will attest to that.

Still, not everything is scraped and recycled. A few units that took part in the project will be kept at various dealerships and even enrolled in the DriveNow fleet. Also, all batteries were kept to be used for study in Battery Second Life research, which is exactly what it sounds like.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW started crushing ActiveE vehicles appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

We cannot image the happy face of the first US customer that has recently received the keys of the BMW i3. The customer is Charles Rabie, a professor at Tufts University, who got the electric from the BMW`s dealership in Boston.

Others will follow to get the long-expected BMW i3, with a flood of deliveries to be carried out at the Port Jersey Vehicle Distribution Center in Jersey City, NJ.

The pictures here showing professor Rabie in his long-awaited BMW i3 electric, give us a closer look at the car, while the professor is taking the car out for a spin to show how far the EPA will be going with its full charge 22-kWh battery.

Dave Buchko, the chief at BMW Corporate Communications said in an interview that the “government agency has given the i3 an official range rating of 81 miles.”

Perhaps the professor will not have some strange experiences in dealing with the sub-100 mile range, since we are talking about a former BMW ActiveE driver, with a lot of opportunity on his behalf of driving a battery-powered vehicle.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW i3 Reaching US First Costumer, Coming with EPA-rated 81-mile range appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

As you probably know, the electric model known as ActiveE which is based on the current 1 Series Coupe will be available starting this fall in a limited series of around 700 units. Earlier this year, the Bavarians from BMW released the official pricing for the new electric ActiveE, and in the same time, announced the interested customers that the only way to get one of these units is in leasing.

Therefore, if you want to drive one of the zero-emission ActiveE you have to make a down payment of $2,250 for 24 months while you’ll have to pay a lease of $499 every month. Unfortunately, the first information about the availability of the new BMW ActiveE confirms as the Germans will offer this model just in leasing.

If you missed it, we have to remind you that the German model packs an electric motor able to deliver 168 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque, resources that will make the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h possible in 9 seconds and a top speed of 145 km/h. The lithium-ion battery pack is provided by SB LiMotive and provides a driving range of 160 kilometers, more than enough considering the average distance travelled by a customer.

Largely, these details were already known but the Bavarians announced a new partnership with AeroVironment, a company which will provide the much needed infrastructure, more exactly the charging stations which will be installed in the garage of each customer of the new BMW ActiveE.

Therefore, AeroVironment will provide the EVSE-RS charger which will be able to completely charge ActiveE in about five hours. AeroVironment’s EVSE-RS charging station will be installed with a 240-volt electric circuit and most probably, the main fact that makes BMW to offer the new ActiveE in a limited series of 700 units and just in leasing is that the infrastructure is not available for everyone yet.

If you want to order one of the limited ActiveE units, you will have to wait few more months, and as mentioned above, to make a down payment of $2,250. According to the official details, BMW will distribute the vehicles in the major U.S. markets such as New York, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, Los Angeles and Sacramento.

Besides the home charging system, AeroVironment will also provide support, installation and warranty for the customers that will order the new BMW ActiveE.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW announces detailed information on the ActiveE limited series appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

The Germans from BMW decided to release the leasing price for the new ActiveE, the electric model that won’t be available for the large audience unfortunately. There is no secret that the new BMW ActiveE is designed just for specific people and companies and there is a limited amount of vehicles to be made.

Today, BMW revealed the pricing of the electric model, however, continuing to keep the mystery on the specification sheet. While under the bonnet the electric powertrain is rumored to develop around 190 horsepower, some official details from the press release are telling us that we have to expect a driving range of about 160 kilometers.

Moreover, the zero-emissions model bearing BMW’s badge will be able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in less than nine seconds. The German electric model comes with a special lithium-ion battery using a technology that was never used before.

The leasing price for BMW ActiveE for 24 months is $499 a month but this is available just with a down payment of $2,250. If you want one of these you’ll have to wait a couple of months to order one.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW releases the leasing price for the ActiveE electric model appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Together with the new BMW Vision ConnectedDrive concept and the new Design Pure Balance package designed for the current generation Z4, BMW also unveiled the well-known ActiveE, an electric model based on the current 1 Series Coupe.

BMW is planning to start the orders for ActiveE EV in the coming months but unfortunately they will build around 1,000 vehicles following to be available on few big markets.

However, under the hood of the upcoming ActiveE we’ll find an electric engine that develops 170 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque, enough resources to provide a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in around 9 seconds and a top speed of 145 km/h.

The 32 kWh lithium-ion battery pack which fits the new electric model will offer a driving range of 160 kilometers, just five hours being necessary to completely charge the battery. The aesthetics couldn’t be ignored by the Bavarians, thus, the model gets inside some nice features such as Alpine White trim, the new eDrive system and Dakota leather upholstery.

Outside, a special design with few graphics tell you that you are in front of an electric model, a set of 16-inch alloy wheels completing the exterior appearance.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW introduced ActiveE at Geneva, expected to go on sale later this year appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

We recently announced that BMW decided to unveil the new 6 Series Coupe (F12) at the Shanghai Auto Show, an important decision considering that the new model will debut in China and not in Europe. However, at the upcoming European auto show, at Geneva, BMW kept some firsts for the European audience.

Among others, the Germans will reveal the production-ready version of ActiveE, an electric model which offers great performance but unfortunately there is a downside. Namely, BMW decided to create just 1000 copies which will be availabe just for rent. Why is this so sad? Well, you’ll find when you’ll read the specs below.

The electric engine which is fitted under the bonnet is able to offer 170 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque, the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h being done in 9 seconds, all these figures with zero emissions. The lithium-ion battery pack provides a driving range of 160 kilometers, mixing all these figures will result a great overall score. Look forward for the Geneva Motor Show to find more details.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW ActiveE electric vehicle comes as Geneva Motor Show appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

ASA, the Advertising Standards Authority, claimed that BMW don’t play fair when they use their “zero emissions” motto for their ActiveE electric model. Thus, the authority told below restricted the German manufacturer to use anymore this slogan. Even there are alot of automotive manufacturers that are developing this kind of zero emissions vehicle, since now, just BMW faced this problem with this slogan.

Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership was the place where this decision was made, and where some standards in this regard was taken, along with some car manufacturers.

People at Advertising Standards Authority claimed that the German manufacturer BMW exaggerated when they told people that the BMW’s ActiveE electric vehicle will have zero emissions while is functioning. The argue of the ASA is that the electric model have to be charged at station that will use at a certain moment other than electric resources in order to charge the electric model.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW ActiveE concept motto restricted by the ASA appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

It’s only been about three weeks since we’ve had confirmation of the first BMW series-production of an electric-vehicle coming to the market with the launch of the Megacity Vehicle, scheduled for 2013.

Back then, BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer stated that this BMW will move the bar and set a new industry tone as the Megacity Vehicle will be significantly lighter than conventional cars and, in terms of sustainability, will set a new standard across the entire value-added chain.

Since these claims still stand, here are some new ones. The BMW Megacity will be a full five seater vehicle sized about the same as a Golf with an unusual layout for a BMW, an electric car or pretty much most cars in general. The Megacity will be rear engined and rear wheel drive.

According to BMW the Megacity will be a revolution for electric vehicles and it will also have some of the company’s mainstream touches. The new electric car is set to have a range of 160 miles per charge but no mention on the charging time has been done.

The BMW Megacity will share most of the drivetrain with the BMW ActiveE concept.

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Marcus M.

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The post More news on the BMW Megacity appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Germany is home to the Autobahn, some of the best feats of car engineering on the planet and one of the “greenest” countries in the world.

In keeping of that last aspect, the German government has announced that they are hoping to get one million electric vehicles on the country’s roads by 2020.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be meeting top executives of the country’s main automakers and energy companies in Berlin to launch a new initiative to develop electric vehicles. This plan will bear the insignia of the “national platform for electric mobility” and is destined to reach the fabled million in under a decade.

This platform and the eco-minded thinking behind it fits BMW’s efficient dynamics politics and first to show his support for the idea on behalf of the automakers is BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer who stated that the bavarians are ready and well positioned to become a technology leader in the market .

BMW’s hybrid developments so far aren’t probably going to get all these great numbers in sales up so quickly which is why the company has announced it will be relying mostly on cars that will be developed from the BMW ActiveE Concept.

The BMW ActiveE is based on the current BMW 1-Series that has a rear mounted electric motor and a battery setup similar to what you would get in a Tesla Roadster. As always with BMW the performance isn’t one to disappoint even though the main purpose of the car is ecology and the zero emissions factor as the car is completely electric.

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Marcus M.

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The post BMW supports Germany’s target for electric vehicles appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.