BMW App Gets ICE Owners Thinking About EVs

BMW is trying to leverage its driver mobile application to nudge owners of gas-powered models to consider switching to electric.

The My BMW app now includes the Electric Vehicle Analysis function that shows owners how many trips an electric BMW could have made on one battery charge compared to the number made with their internal combustion engine model.

The idea is to tell them which electric BMW would best fit their driving habits.

The app feature, available for operating systems 7 and newer, can be used after the ICE vehicle has been driven on at least 200 trips for approximately 1,250 miles.

“This is intended to combat the range anxiety and concerns about the everyday practicality of all-electric vehicles that are still prevalent today,” BMW said in a press release on the feature.

Fears of running out of charge on the road are consistently cited as one of the main reasons many consumers stick with ICE vehicles.

The app analysis uses the ICE vehicle’s driving metrics via the My Trips function. BMW said it will later add long-distance trips, vehicle down time, and charging time.

Owners must consent for their driving data to be used for the analysis.