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1
Register for BMW Charging
1. You already have your My BMW App enabled and connected to your BMW? Great. Register seamlessly by selecting “BMW Charging Account” in your My BMW App. You prefer it the non app way? Check our tariff page to identify tariffs, packages and specials that best fits your driving habits and needs and are relevant for your BMW.
2. Enter a bit of information about you and your vehicle. This information is mainly collected to create your account and to ensure that you receive offers that fit your vehicle.
3. Choose your preferred method of payment.
4. Order your BMW Charging Card or, if you already have one, enter the number of your card. You can choose to activate your contract right away or set a specific date for activation. You will receive a full overview of your contract. If everything is correct, simply click confirm.
2
Activate your BMW Charging Card and download the My BMW App
Once you have activated your card, the BMW Charging Service will be fully available to you throughout Europe within 24 hours at the latest. In the meantime, use the My BMW app for authentication at the charging point (simply filter by app). Some all-electric BMW models completely eliminate the need for authentication at eligible charging points thanks to Plug & Charge.*
3
Find your Charge Point
The map lets you find charge points – in the app. Filter by plug types, charging speed, mode of authentification and availability. View ratings and leave reviews.
You can also display a route to your desired charging station and start navigating straight from the My BMW app.
And if a station offers remote charging, you can initiate that process, too.
4
Start charging
You can start the charging event in various ways depending on the charging station, and thus enjoy maximum flexibility. Filter by your chosen authentication method in the My BMW app.
BMW Charging Card: Identify yourself by presenting your BMW Charging Card at the charging station to start the charging event.
Digital authentication: Start and end the charging event directly in the My BMW app either thanks to "Scan & Charge" (identification through QR code scan) or "Select & Charge" (selection of the specific charging point).
Plug & Charge: The latest generation of our all-electric BMW vehicles completely eliminates the need for authentication at eligible charging points thanks to Plug & Charge. Just plug in and start charging.
Learn more about EV charging
Charging Duration
The duration of a charging process depends on various factors: the battery capacity and level, the vehicle charging performance as well as the charging station‘s speed and capacity.
Electric vehicles can be charged with the following:
- Alternating Current (AC) with a maximum of 22 kW. This is suitable for PHEVs and BEVs.
- Direct Current (DC), also known as rapid charging, which starts at 50 kW. It is only suitable for BEVs.
- High Power Charging (HPC), is the next-super-fast-generation of DC charging technology and starts at 150kW.
What does that mean in BMW terms?
While the fully-electric BMW i4 conveniently reaches its full capacity in about 8,25 hours e.g. at a public AC charger, it gains up to 102 miles in range in only 10 minutes at a HPC charger like the ones available from our strategic partner IONITY.
Plug Types & Cables
There is a variety of different plug types out there. At AC stations, Type-2 plugs are the most common, but some have Type-1 plugs as well. DC stations have either CCS or CHAdeMO plugs. European car manufacturers use the CCS standard.
For AC charging you will need to bring your own Mode 3 public charging cable, as most stations do not have a cable attached. For DC chargers this is not necessary as they have a fixed cable attached.
What does that mean in BMW terms?
You have nothing to worry about. Your BMW already comes with the basic equipment needed for Home & Public Charging, including cables suitable for your vehicle and region. And… your BMW knows which type of charge points and connectors (Type 2 and/or CCS) are the right ones for it‘s vehicle type and by default applies the right filters in BMW Maps and in the My BMW App.
Charge points
The public charging infrastructure in Europe is growing steadily. There are hundreds of charge point operators (CPOs) all across Europe. In addition to local charging opportunities - most major motorways are now equipped with rapid charging opportunities – typically High Power Charging (HPC) - at reasonable distances.
To access this vast number of charging opportunities individually it is quite a job to set up accounts with all of the different charge point operators and keep track of means of access, prices, accounts and invoices.
What does that mean in BMW Charging terms?
BMW Charging aggregates the vast majority of charge point operators across Europe and continuously adds new players and offers. Therefore you are good with one contract to conveniently have multiple operator network access covering AC + DC incl. HPC alike. Check our map to see all of the charge points in our network and near your frequently visited Point of Interest.
Charging an Electric Vehicle
When you reach the charging station, you authenticate yourself with a suitable charging card, via app or other digital/technical solutions. Depending on the charge point operator (CPO) you either first unlock the charge point or first plug in your vehicle.
Once the charging cable is plugged in, it locks securely on both ends before the charging starts. It stays locked until the charging process is terminated. The charging process either stops by re-reading the means of authentication or by simply unlocking the car. Disconnect the cable. Done.
What does that mean in BMW/BMW Charging terms?
Your BMW Charging Card or the My BMW App are your key to a vast network of charge points across Europe. You will quickly pick up the slight process differences depending on the CPO. Stop the charging process remotely via My BMW App or simply unlock the vehicle.
Costs and tariffs
There are various varying pricing models and components out there depending on the respective charge point operator (CPO) and/or e-mobility provider (EMP) offering. Prices could be per minute or per kWh and vary depending on the time. They sometimes vary strongly from CPO to CPO and have additional pricing components (e.g. blocking fee) applying.
If you are using an EMP aggregating charge point access over various CPOs, you might have access to a vast network benefitting from convenience aspects and also standardized pricing options. You might leverage public charging at a flexible price (price and pricing model set by the individual CPO) or a fixed price (uniform prices and price components apply across all CPOs in the offer).
What does that mean in BMW Charging terms?
With BMW Charging and the Active Tariff you can charge conveniently at a vast range of CPOs all across Europe - at one attractive fixed AC/DC rate. The rate is optimized per market based on the local market prices for energy.
Sustainable e-mobility through green energy
Electric vehicles can only be environmentally friendly if they support the use of renewable energies. That is why we are committed to making charging events as sustainable as possible.
* Starting from the BMW i5, many fully electric BMW models will be equipped with the Plug & Charge feature.