BMW is helping drivers to decide on the shift to EVs with its updated mobile app.

The app shows the number of journeys that could have been completed with BMW EVs without the need to recharge

The new Electric Vehicle Analysis function delivers a decision-making tool for the EV shift,  guiding drivers on whether EVs are feasible for them.

The function allows customers who drive a BMW with a combustion engine to assess how well an all-electric BMW would suit their personal driving profile by showing the number of journeys that could have been completed with the selected electric vehicle without the need to stop for charging.

The tool requires drivers to have a BMW with a combustion engine and BMW Operating System 7 or later and also consent to their driving data being used for the purpose of the analysis.

Drivers then select an electric BMW model as an alternative vehicle and use their combustion-engined model to make a minimum of 200 journeys, covering a distance of some 1,250 miles to analyse their profile. The app then does the rest, helping the user to decide which drive type to choose in their next vehicle.

BMW also says the function will be upgraded in future to expand the reach of the analysis.

“Electric vehicles can already be incorporated perfectly into the daily routine of many customers – it’s just that the majority of them haven’t tried it yet,” said Dirk Wiedmann, BMW’s senior vice president sales steering and strategy, digitalisation. “Our app’s Electric Vehicle Analysis helps our customers to make an informed judgement in their choice of drive system.”

The newly updated My BMW app – along with the Mini app – also gains enhanced EV charging-optimised route planning, which can now be updated with individual charging stops that are then synchronised with the vehicle. The apps also notify the user of facilities in the vicinity of charging stations, such as restaurants, cafés, banks and supermarkets, complete with detailed information on them.

EV drivers can also now select and manage preferred charging tariffs from a large number of providers in the app’s new Charging Wallet. When the app user selects a charging station, the applicable prices for the selected charging tariffs are shown, depending on availability, allowing the user to choose the cheapest tariff for them.