BMW is Offering New EV Customers 2 Years of Free Charging From Electrify America

author: Eric Walz   

The BMW i4 eDrive40 electric sedan.

Automaker BMW announced a new partnership with EV charging provider Electrify America to provide two years of complimentary charging sessions to buyers of BMW's new electric vehicles, which begins on the date of purchase.

The EV charging program will launch with the sale of BMW's all-new iX xDrive50, BMW i4 eDrive40 and BMW i4 M50 electric vehicles. BMW customers will have access to complimentary charging at more than 3,000 Electrify America chargers across the U.S. 

In October, BMW announced that its all-electric i4 sedan has officially entered production. The first series model of the battery-powered i4 sedan rolled off the production line in October at the automaker's manufacturing facility in Munich.

With the launch of the i4 lineup of electric sedans, BMW will compete more closely with Tesla's Model S and Model 3 sedan.

"The collaboration with Electrify America is one more step on our road towards a sustainable future," said Sebastian Mackensen, president and CEO, BMW of North America. "Charging availability is a key feature when it comes to electric vehicles. We're excited to offer our customers access to charging that is fast, affordable and convenient, as we launch the next generation of all-electric from BMW."

 Utilizing in-car navigation, the myBMW app or the Electrify America EV charging app, BMW EV drivers will be able to locate and get directions to nearby charging stations, as well as verify charger availability beforehand.

Finding convenient charging is a concern for many drivers contemplating the purchase of an EV, so offering free charging from Electrify America may help BMW to sell more electric vehicles.

BMW expects that global sales of its EVs will rise by an average of 20% annually between 2025 and 2030.  By 2030, fully electric vehicles are expected to account for at least half of all BMW deliveries to customers. The launch of the new BMW iX and i4 represent an important part of BMW's future and marks the beginning of the automakers transition to electrification.

Electrify America operates the largest open network of ultra-fast chargers in the U.S. The company's ultra-fast chargers are capable of delivering charging rates from 150 kilowatts (kW) to 350kW, which can charge an EV's battery to 80% in under 15 minutes. For example, BMW iX and BMW i4 drivers can recoup between 90 and 108 miles in as little as 10 minutes, according to the automaker. 

Electrify America has 800 EV charging stations and about 3,500 individual ultra-fast chargers open or with construction completed in the U.S. By 2026, the company plans to more than double its infrastructure with 1,800 charging stations comprising 10,000 individual chargers in the U.S. and Canada.

"This is a very exciting time as more drivers are turning to e-mobility for their transportation needs to travel around town and across the country," said Giovanni Palazzo, president and CEO of Electrify America. "Our coast-to-coast network of ultra-fast chargers is growing every week with more charging stations which are ready to welcome new owners of electric vehicles from BMW. We are delighted to collaborate with such a prestigious automotive brand."

Electrify America was established in Feb. 2017 by automaker Volkswagen as restitution for the "dieselgate" emissions cheating scandal. The company was established to help spur the adoption of electric vehicles in the U.S. by building out a nationwide EV charging network.

Over a ten year period ending in 2027, Electrify America is investing $2 billion in zero emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure and education programs in the U.S. The company plans to construct the largest EV charging network, eventually exceeding the size of Telsa's Supercharger network.

Electrify America is also providing charging for EV startups Polestar and Lucid Group, as well as Mercedes Benz and Porsche.

In Nov. 2021, Electrify America announced the opening of one of its largest U.S. EV charging stations in Silicon Valley. The station is located at the Westfield Valley Fair shopping Mall in Santa Clara, California and features 14 ultra-fast chargers with solar-powered canopies.

It was the 200th ultra-fast EV charging station opened by the company in the state with the highest EV adoption rate in the U.S.

Eric Walz

Originally hailing from New Jersey, Eric is a automotive & technology reporter covering the high-tech industry here in Silicon Valley. He has over 15 years of automotive experience and a bachelors degree in computer science. These skills, combined with technical writing and news reporting, allows him to fully understand and identify new and innovative technologies in the auto industry and beyond. He has worked at Uber on self-driving cars and as a technical writer, helping people to understand and work with technology.