The first BMW i3 electric car just arrived in the US, and BMW marked the occasion by unveiling a solar-powered bamboo carport to charge it! The i Solar Carport provides electric vehicles with a 100% renewable source of energy, enabling drivers can charge up their EVs independent of grid-based electricity prices.
BMW’s i Solar Carport takes styling cues from the i3 and i8 electric vehicles. The carport is made out of rapidly renewable bamboo, and its roof is covered in high-grade glass-on-glass solar modules that send electricity to EVs via BMW’s i Wallbox Pro. The Wallbox indicates the amount of solar energy generated, and once vehicles are fully charged surplus solar power can be redirected for domestic use.
Related: BMW i3 Wins ‘World Green Car’ Award at New York Auto Show
“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.”
As of now BMW has not revealed any pricing information or official plans to produce the i Solar Carport.
+ BMW
