BMW shows prototype of streetlight with integrated EV charging

8 November 2014

During the Eurocities conference this week in Munich, the BMW Group presented the prototype of a highly energy efficient street light that is also a charging station for electric vehicles, called “Light and Charge”. The units combine the latest LED technology with a standard connector for EV charging. The charging station, integrated into BMW i’s ChargeNow network, allows the driver to start charging with just one click.

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The LED modules are more energy-efficient than other lighting and have a higher luminous efficiency. The units are universal and can be modularly adapted depending on the location. With up to four LED modules, they can illuminate the lanes of major roads at night; one or two modules provide a pleasant light in the side streets and residential areas.

The Light and Charge unit. Click to enlarge.
 
The charging station. Click to enlarge.

As LED technology also enables targeting of the light rays, an unnecessary and ecologically unfavorable light scattering can be avoided.

Light and Charge is a simple and innovative solution to naturally integrate a reliable network of charging stations in the city. With the ChargeNow map of BMW i, we are creating today access to the world’s largest network of charging stations. We are pleased that we can with our partners to promote the expansion of the charging infrastructure further jointly by the project Light and Charge. Only with a comprehensive charging infrastructure we see the future more electric vehicles in the cities.

Two prototype units are now in service in front of BMW World; BMW will begin a pilot project in Munich in spring 2015 in spring 2015 in Munich that uses a portion of the local lighting network.