BMW’s sustainable mobility-focused sub-brand BMW i has announced it is to join forces with German photovoltaic firm SOLARWATT GmbH, in a bid to supply consumer-friendly solar-powered carport and rooftop charging systems to future i3 and i8 owners.
The latest collaboration is part of a wider push by the German automotive giant to ensure owners of its upcoming i3 and i8 electric vehicles have ample charging options open to them. BMW has already established partnerships with Naturstrom, Schneider Electric and The Mobility House, and this new deal will give EV buyers the opportunity to purchase SOLARWATT's Carport System alongside a BMW i vehicle, or separately over the internet.
The system utilizes glass-glass PV modules – which the company cites as offering an increased lifespan and durability, compared to glass-foil modules – to provide solar-based battery charging for BMW EVs, as well as micro power generation for the household.
“This is the next step in the BMW i 360-degree package for customer-friendly electric mobility,” enthused Marcus Krieg, head of BMW’s 360-degree ELECTRIC project. “With SOLARWATT, we are delighted to be working with a premium partner for customized solar solutions who will cater to our customers’ high standards of quality and style.”
Source: BMW
This folly structure is embarrassing to BMW and SolarWatt once they take notice if its to be built as they say with normal wood carpentry. Only if it were welded steel or steel reinforced concrete could you have the main rafter loaded header chopped up with rafter spliced joints as shown. Or are they silly fake ornaments? This is not a good image for a hi tech engineered manufacturers.
Your electric car won't take you to a good campsite, and there are far more cost effective hybrid designs than using the very expensive electric system with its capacity loosing energy storage system.
I am confused, I think you are referring to range issues when you mention the fact that the BMW EV will not get you to a good campsite. I don't think in this article that BMW was claiming that the i3 or i8 were designed for that function. Second, in the recent past you have said that you think hybrids are stupid. Have you changed your position on that drivetrain option for vehicles?
Even if it is ex$pen$ive and less sustainable Steel Reinforced Concrete or Welded Steel it is laughably dumb illogical design..
What is painfully clear is how unaware most folks are in Architectural Design Values. It is inexcusable for a hi tech company to be that brain dead ignorant to be doing their PR with tacky and foolish looking design.
Read fleming's comment to put my response to his in context.
I think that electric hybrids are a bad idea because the batteries are extremely expensive and loose capacity with use. I have always liked pneumatic and flywheel hybrids that if given the same level of subsidies that the EV and EV hybrid are receiving would cost less than the pure ICE equivalent.
re; ei3io
While I think that carports are a pretty silly idea your comments appear to mean that the carport should have a Tec/Modern hideous form That no one sane would put in there yard not to be an embarrassment. If being aware of Architectural Design Values means not having good taste I treasure my ignorance.
On Architectural Design you shouldn't relish ignorance,, but relinquish it to evolve your mind don't stifle it.