KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 5): BMW Group Malaysia has roped in Malaysian Green Technology Corp (GreenTech Malaysia) to offer its plug-in hybrid vehicle customers access to its ChargeNow mobility services via the latter's ChargEV platform.

The new BMW ChargeNow service is offered to all customers of the all-new BMW i8, BMW 330e and BMW X5 xDrive40e under the BMW 360° ELECTRIC programme.

The convenient mobility service is aimed to make everyday on-the-go charging a seamless part of owning a BMW i or BMW hybrid vehicle with eDrive Technology, said the premium automaker in a statement today.

"Using the ChargeNow card that also grants straightforward access to partner charging stations like ChargEV, customers can enjoy 24/7 support and access to over 95 publicly accessible charging locations on ChargEV's growing network," it said.

BMW Group Malaysia head of corporate communications Sashi Ambi said: "In the past year, we have introduced three all-new hybrid vehicles with eDrive Technology in the country — the i8, the X5 xDrive 40e and the 330e. This move demonstrates a new understanding of premium vehicles that are strongly defined by sustainability.

"A key strategy for the nation to move towards sustainability mobility within the urban environment is by offering mobility services which make electric driving a comfortable experience and a daily pleasure," he said.

To him, the progressive partnership with BMW ChargeNow and GreenTech Malaysia's ChargEV platform is a move towards that.

"It is important that we ensure the necessary infrastructure is available to support the new technology as this is what will also increase consumer confidence in the viability of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. As of today, the demand for both the X5 xDrive40e and 330e continues to grow," said Ambi.

"We have already begun delivering both vehicles to our customers; the BMW X5 xDrive40e currently has a [waiting] list until Q2 2017 while the order bank for the BMW 330e is healthily growing. We are confident the progress of these vehicles will continue to be positive," added Ambi.

According to the statement, customers who want to make use of the ChargeNow service should download the My BMW Remote app (for BMW eDrive owners) or the BMW i Remote app (for BMW i owners) to locate available public charging stations, check their availability, and send their locations directly to the vehicle.

GreenTech Malaysia targets to install 300 ChargEV stations by this year and maintains its target of achieving 25,000 ChargEV stations by 2020 to support Malaysia's target of deploying 100,000 electric vehicles in the next five years.