BMW and Volkswagen chose the Washington D.C auto show as the venue for a buzz-worthy announcement of partnership to benefit electric vehicle drivers.
The two automakers plan to invest in 100 DC fast charging stations for EVs along popular routes on the East and West coasts, which will enable drivers to extend the reach of their admittedly limited-range vehicles.
At the press conference, Volkswagen vice president of marketing and strategy Joerg Sommer said that "the EV customer isn't buying a car—they're buying a lifestyle."
Spaced around 50 miles apart, the new DC fast-charging stations will connect cities from Boston to Washington, D.C., along the East Coast's I-95 as well as Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego on the West Coast. If such a plan sounds familiar, think back to the Tesla Supercharger network.
The new stations will comprise a mix of 50-kW DC fast chargers, which can charge or 24 kW DC Combo fast chargers with the SAE Combo connector. A 50 kW charging station has the capacity to charge a BMW i3 and Volkswagen e-Golf—as well as any other EV with the connector, such as the Chevrolet Spark EV—up to 80 percent in 20 minutes, compared with 30 minutes at a 24 kW station. Without that level of capability, the charge time soars to hours, not minutes.
"Most daily driving needs are suited by an EV," said Rob Healey, BMW electric vehicle infrastructure manager. "We are giving people a way to drive beyond their battery range with confidence."
The new locations will also offer J1772 Level 2 charging capability, which is compatible with most modern electric vehicles.
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