BMW i has named Schneider Electric to will provide home and office installations for customers of its first electric vehicle, the BMW i3.
The partnership sees Schneider Electric become, not only the manufacturer of the BMW i Wallbox, but also the recommended installer.
This collaboration will allow Schneider Electric to work closely with the BMW i Sales Agents and customers, providing home surveys, supply and installation of the charging point, as well as offering maintenance and comprehensive support. The installation package will be provided by Schneider Electric but managed by BMW and can be customised to meet customers‘ specific requirements.
The BMW i Wallbox will allow BMW i owners to charge their vehicle’s quickly and conveniently while at home or at work. The BMW i3 is the first electric vehicle on the market to be purpose-designed to work with a specially developed home charging unit from the outset.
The BMW i Wallbox will enable owners in the UK to charge their BMW i3 at up to 7.4kW from zero to 80 percent within three hours, and on to a full charge within four hours.
As part of a £37 million package of investment in electric vehicles in the UK, the government offers a 75 percent grant for the provision of domestic charging points. This subsidy applies to the BMW i Wallbox, bringing the installed cost down to £315 including VAT, subject to qualification.
This is the first time that a premium car manufacturer has partnered directly with a charging point manufacturer and installer to provide EV charging facilities in the home, not only in the UK but through a global partnership between BMW AG and Schneider Electric.
BMW is Schneider’s second manufacturer partnership, alongside a deal with Ford to provide EVLink charging points for the Focus Electric and C-Max Energi Plug-in Hybrid models in Europe.
