Kuala Lumpur (5 October 2016) — BMW Group Malaysia and Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia) today officially marked its partnership to offer the premium automaker’s new plug-in hybrid vehicles customers in the country access to its ChargeNow mobility services via the ChargEV platform.
As part of BMW 360° ELECTRIC program, customers of the all-new BMW i8, BMW 330e and BMW X5 xDrive40e are offered the new BMW ChargeNow service, a convenient mobility service that makes everyday on-the-go charging a seamless part of owning a BMW i or BMW Hybrid vehicle with eDrive Technology. Using the ChargeNow card that also grants straightforward access to partner charging stations like ChargEV, customers can enjoy 24/7 support and access to over 95 publicly accesible charging locations on ChargEV’s growing network.
During the signing ceremony at the 7th International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM), Mr. Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications, BMW Group Malaysia said, “In the past year, we at BMW have introduced three all-new Hybrid vehicles with eDrive Technology in the country – the BMW i8, the BMW X5 xDrive 40e and the BMW 330e. This move demonstrates a new understanding of premium vehicles that are strongly defined by sustainability. A key strategy for the nation to move towards sustainability mobility within the urban environment is by offering mobility services which make electric driving a comfortable experience and a daily pleasure.”
He added that the progressive partnership with BMW ChargeNow and GreenTech Malaysia’s ChargEV platform is one such strategy to create a new dimension and experience of Sheer Driving Pleasure and vehicle ownership in the premium segment.
“It is important that we ensure the necessary infrastructure is available to support the new technology as this is what will also increase consumer confidence in the viability of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. As of today, the demand for both the BMW X5 xDrive40e and BMW 330e continues to grow. We have already begun delivering both vehicles to our customers; the BMW X5 xDrive40e currently has a wait list until Q2 2017 while the order bank for the BMW 330e is healthily growing. We are confident that the progress of these vehicles will continue to be positive,” said Ambi.
With the sophisticated BMW eDrive technology and the ChargeNow mobility service, the charging stations are both quick and comfortable to use. There are serveral ways to find participating public charging stations with ChargeNow. The first is by downloading the My BMW Remote app for BMW eDrive customers or the BMW i Remote app for BMW i customers to locate available public charging stations, check their availability, and send their locations directly to the vehicle. Owners can also use the onboard navigation system via BMW ConnectedDrive services to find public stations from their BMW eDrive or BMW i vehicle. Alternatively, customers can locate the stations by using the ChargEV online map, which displays the location of all ChargEV stations.
Once a public charging station is located, simply tap the ChargeNow card over the reader symbol, press the handle button to remove the charging connector, and plug in. Upon full charge, simple tap the ChargeNow card to end the session before unplugging and returning the connector to its station.
GreenTech Malaysia targets to install 300 ChargEV stations by this year and will keep to its target of achieving 25,000 ChargEV stations by 2020 to support Malaysia’s target of deploying 100,000 EVs in the next five years. With ChargEV playing a pivotal role in encouraging the adoption of EVs, BMW Group Malaysia also believes that consumer awareness and education is the subsequent part of the equation for electromobility initiatives in the country.
Experience and discover more about the BMW 360° ELECTRIC programme on the final day of IGEM, 8th October 2016 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. BMW Group Malaysia will be sharing its expertise on the programme, showcasing its BMW ChargeNow project progress with Greentech Malaysia’s ChargEV platform alongside displaying its all-new BMW Hybrid vehicles with eDrive Technology – the BMW X5 xDrive 40e and BMW 330e as well as the most progressive premium sports car, the BMW i8.
