BMW has unveiled the new i Solar Carport concept in Los Angeles, which is designed as a greener way to recharge the i3 and i8 vehicles.
BMW has unveiled the new i Solar Carport concept in Los Angeles, which is designed as a greener way to recharge the i3 and i8 vehicles.
The i Solar Carport concept is made out of carbon fiber and bamboo with high-grade glass-on-glass solar modules. The power harnessed from the sun is then transferred to the BMW i Wallbox Pro, which indicates the amount of solar energy that goes into the car and provides an analysis of recent charging processes which shows the respective proportions of solar and grid power. If the solar panels provide energy beyond the requirements of the vehicle, this surplus solar power can be put to domestic use.
Related: BMW Delivers the First i3 in the U.S.
“With the solar carport concept we opted for a holistic approach: not only is the vehicle itself sustainable, but so is its energy supply,” explains Tom Allemann, who is responsible for the carport design at BMW Group DesignworksUSA. “This is therefore an entirely new generation of carports that allows energy to be produced in a simple and transparent way. It renders the overarching theme of lightweight design both visible and palpable.”
Source: BMW