With the introduction of BMW Charging and MINI Charging, BMW Group customers in the UK can now access one of the world’s largest public charging networks using only an RFID card or App.
Using BMW charging or MINI RFID charging card, or the new BMW or MINI charging app, customers can charge from more than 11,000 ChargePoint at different operators across the UK and 173,000 ChargePoint across Europe.
BMW and MINI drivers can benefit from the charging stations of many operators. The current networks include bp pulse (including ChargeYourCar), ESB, Osprey, London’s Source and the British ChargePoint Network (including INSTAVOLT) and so on. IONITY’s high-power charging stations are also part of the BMW charging network. Combined, this allows drivers to use more than 8,500 AC and 1,500 DC charging points in the UK, and 162,000 AC and 11,000 DC charging points in Europe.
Customers of BMW or MINI Charging can sign up for the pay-as-you-go “Flex tariff”, a service that allows drivers to use a toll card to access all included network operators without the need for monthly registration or subscription operations for each member. Customers who choose this tariff only need to pay the fees they have used every month.
For drivers who use public charging more frequently, BMW and MINI Charging offer two additional monthly subscription packages. When charging at more than 5500 bp pulse charging points, the “bp pulse” package (£7.85 per month) provides customers with a discounted price per kilowatt hour. Customers using up to 22kW AC only need to pay £0.12 per kWh, up to 43kW AC or 50kW DC need to pay £0.15 per kWh, and up to 150kW DC power needs to pay £0.27 per kWh.
For drivers using the IONITY charging network, the “IONITY Plus” package (£11.30 per month) can enjoy a discounted price of £0.26 per kWh. Compared with drivers who pay on demand, they can save £0.43 per kWh and use up to 350kW, the maximum rate of DC charging.
Customers who purchase all-electric or plug-in hybrid BMW or MINI including BMW MINI or BMW’s new MINI electric vehicles through the BMW or MINI Center can enjoy a 12-month “bp Pulse” package without paying. BMW customers who purchase a new BMW iX3 or BMW iX vehicle through the BMW Center are also eligible for a 12-month “IONITY Plus” package at no charge.
Drivers can use the app or view their charging history and cost details on the new BMW or MINI charging website, which includes the cost of completing the charging session and the cost of any optional packages issued each month.
To find nearby charging stations, customers can use My BMW App, MINI Connected App, the new BMW / MINI Charging App or BMW / MINI Charging website. BMW and MINI navigation systems also display nearby charging points and all charging points in the network.