BMW already has a couple of electric vehicles, the BMW i8 and the BMW i3. We have already seen a number of charging solutions from the company, and now they are working on another innovative solution.
According to a recent report, BMW is developing street lights that will also double as chargers for your electric vehicle. The company has apparently developed two prototypes of these multifunctional street lights.
Innovative Charging Solutions
The company is already using these prototype street lights outside of its headquarters, and the company plans to launch a pilot for these new EV charging street lights in Munich. This pilot project will allow BMW to gather data and feedback on the effectiveness and efficiency of these street lights in real-world conditions.
The street lights are called ‘Light and Charge’ and they combine energy-efficient LEDs with BMW’s ChargeNow charging stations for their electric vehicles. This dual functionality not only provides illumination but also serves as a convenient charging point for EV owners.
The company has said that these new EV charging street lights can easily be integrated into the existing local authority infrastructure. This means that municipalities could potentially adopt this technology without significant modifications to their current systems, making it a cost-effective solution to implement.
Potential Impact on EV Adoption
It will be interesting to see if BMW can use this as a full-scale solution for charging electric vehicles, as this could lead to a higher adoption of the vehicles. One of the main barriers to widespread EV adoption is the lack of convenient and accessible charging infrastructure. By integrating charging stations into street lights, BMW could significantly increase the number of available charging points, making it easier for people to own and operate electric vehicles.
Moreover, this solution could also benefit urban planning and development. Cities are constantly looking for ways to become more sustainable and reduce their carbon footprint. The ‘Light and Charge’ street lights could be a step in that direction, providing a dual-purpose solution that supports both public lighting and electric vehicle charging.
Additionally, the use of LEDs in these street lights offers energy savings and longer lifespan compared to traditional lighting solutions. This could further enhance the sustainability aspect of this project, making it an attractive option for cities looking to upgrade their infrastructure.
Another potential benefit is the reduction of range anxiety among EV owners. Range anxiety, or the fear of running out of battery power before reaching a charging station, is a common concern among electric vehicle users. By increasing the number of charging points through these street lights, BMW could help alleviate this concern and make electric vehicles a more viable option for a broader audience.
Furthermore, this initiative could pave the way for other automakers and technology companies to explore similar solutions. The integration of charging infrastructure into existing urban elements could become a trend, leading to more innovative and efficient ways to support the growing number of electric vehicles on the road.
In conclusion, BMW’s development of street lights that double as EV chargers is a promising step towards enhancing the electric vehicle infrastructure. If successful, this project could lead to higher adoption rates of electric vehicles, contribute to urban sustainability, and inspire further innovations in the field. We look forward to seeing how this pilot project unfolds and its potential impact on the future of electric mobility.
Source: Gizmodo
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