As an eco-conscious driver, investing in an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle is a major step to reducing your carbon emissions. But while your vehicle might not produce emissions directly, charging your vehicle at the wrong time might add to your carbon emissions. Fortunately, the BMW ChargeForward app can help you charge smarter.
What Is BMW ChargeForward?
This is an app that optimizes how you charge your vehicle. Depending on your lifestyle and preferred sharing method, you can use this app to smart charge your vehicle to reduce your carbon impact. Optimizing the time when you charge your vehicle can make a huge difference, since this app uses data from your local carbon grid and energy grid to choose an ideal charging time.
Once you have connected your app to your active Connected Drive services, the app will analyze your vehicle data and map out a schedule for your charging time. The app will look at factors such as your departure time and your ideal state of charge to create the best charging schedule for your lifestyle. As a driver, all you will need to do is plug in your vehicle and the app will automatically charge your car at the ideal time.
What Are Incentives?
This app helps you earn incentives every time you complete a smart charging session. If you are enrolled in the Carbon Dividend program, each of your charging sessions will earn $0.25. These incentives are calculated at the end of every quarter and are dependent on the number of smart charging sessions you complete. If you are enrolled in a local program with your utility company, you can also earn incentives that can be applied to your utility services.
How to Complete a Smart Charging Session
Completing a smart charging session starts with adding your vehicle to your My Garage and active Connected Drive apps. You will also need to enroll in the Carbon Dividend program, set your home charging location, and set your car as your primary vehicle with a default departure time.
Your smart charging session only counts if your vehicle is plugged in at your home charging location and (for all-electric cars) if your battery level is more than 12%. Your default departure time must be set for at least 15 minutes after your vehicle starts charging, and you must let your car charge for at least 15 minutes. Your vehicle charging mode must also be set to charge immediately to count as a smart charging session.
Can You Still Charge Your Vehicle As Needed?
The best part about this app is that it’s flexible for your lifestyle. If you are traveling away from home or need to charge your vehicle immediately, you can easily override your current smart charge schedule in the app to start a real-time charge session.
It’s time to get smart with your vehicle charging. Learn more about how to optimize your EV charging time when you contact BMW of Bloomfield Hills in Bloomfield Hills, MI.
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