SolarCity, America’s full-service solar power provider, and BMW have partnered to offer owners of the new BMW i vehicles exclusive access to SolarCity’s affordable solar service option. The partnership will make it possible for many BMW i owners in SolarCity’s territories to power their cars with clean electricity for less than it would cost with electricity provided by their utility company.
SolarCity is BMW’s preferred solar power partner. SolarCity’s service will be a feature in BMW’s 360° Electric portfolio of innovative products and services to support the EV lifestyle.
“Experience with our MINI E and ActiveE field trials has demonstrated that driving electric is a lifestyle, where customers gain a keen understanding of their driving habits beyond driving and are often inspired to find ways to live more sustainably,” said Rob Healey, BMW’s EV Infrastructure Manager. “With help from SolarCity, BMW i customers will have the opportunity to maximize the commitment to sustainability. This reinforces the entire concept behind the BMW i3, which is engineered and produced by the most sustainable manufacturing process in the automotive industry.”
As part of the partnership, BMW i owners will receive a 10-percent discount on SolarCity's home solar offer with flexible financing options, including options with no upfront installation cost and 20 years of locked-in solar energy rates. The discount will be available with the purchase of any BMW i vehicle at all participating BMW i Centers in SolarCity’s 14-state service territory. SolarCity makes it possible for many homeowners to install solar panels with no upfront costs, and pay less for solar electricity than they currently pay for utility bills, with insurance, repairs and monitoring service included.
“This partnership makes the more sustainable fuel option—emissions-free solar electricity—also the more affordable one,” said SolarCity CEO Lyndon Rive. “By making renewable energy far more accessible and affordable for its customers, BMW is helping to bring clean transportation into the mainstream.”
360º Electric is BMW’s vision of holistic electric mobility, which extends past the vehicle itself to include the realms of charging infrastructure and home energy use. The 360º Electric portfolio will provide services and products to ensure that BMW i drivers have the driving experience expected from a BMW while making every component of electric driving convenient and environmentally sustainable.