My BMW App Gets New Functions: Decision Making Tools for Switching to Electric Power

[Jason]

New functions, extensive updates: My BMW App offers decision-making tool for switching from combustion engine to electric power.



August 12, 2024

Munich. The My BMW App and MINI App are being continuously expanded and improved, with a total of five updates carried out a year. The apps are growing increasingly important for customers, especially when it comes to electric mobility and vehicle charging.

Decision-making tool for the switch to electric mobility: Electric Vehicle Analysis.

The new Electric Vehicle Analysis function allows customers who drive a BMW with a combustion engine to simulate how well an all-electric BMW would suit their personal driving profile. To carry out the simulation, the customer selects an electric BMW model as an alternative vehicle in the app. Once the combustion-engined model has made at least 200 journeys and covered a distance of 2,000 kilometres (approx. 1,250 miles), the analysis clearly shows the number of journeys that could have been completed with the selected electric vehicle on a single charge. This is intended to combat the range anxiety and concerns about the everyday practicality of all-electric vehicles that are still prevalent* today. For the simulation, the app uses the real-world driving data for the combustion-engined model in question, as generated by the My Trips function. Thanks to this individual database, Electric Vehicle Analysis is able to provide the customer with a sound basis for deciding which drive type to choose in their next vehicle.The function will be upgraded in future to expand the reach of the analysis. Evaluations of the time vehicles are not in use and of long-distance journeys will be added, combined with information on charging facilities and the time required for charging. To use Electric Vehicle Analysis, customers must have a BMW with a combustion engine and BMW Operating System 7 or later and also consent to their driving data being used for the purpose of the analysis.

“Electric vehicles can already be incorporated perfectly into the daily routine of many customers – it’s just that the majority of them haven’t tried it yet,” says Dirk Wiedmann, Senior Vice President Sales Steering and Strategy, Digitalisation. “Our app’s Electric Vehicle Analysis helps our customers to make an informed judgement in their choice of drive system.”

New functions for seamless interaction between vehicle and app.

The latest update introduced a series of features designed to produce a seamless route-planning experience when switching between vehicle and app. Options such as avoiding motorways, ferries or toll roads can now also be set in the app, for example, and are always automatically synchronised in both directions. In addition to this, the My BMW / MINI App with charging-optimised route planning for all-electric vehicles now also makes it possible to add individual charging stops, and these are then synchronised with the vehicle. The apps also notify the user of facilities in the vicinity of charging stations, such as restaurants, cafés, banks and supermarkets, complete with detailed information on them.

New Charging Wallet for managing charging tariffs.

Drivers of electric vehicles are now able to select and manage preferred charging tariffs from a large number of providers in the app’s new Charging Wallet. When the app user selects a charging station, the applicable prices for the selected charging tariffs are shown, depending on availability, allowing the user to choose the cheapest tariff for them.

Wide-reaching app functions are being continuously improved and expanded – with high levels of user satisfaction.

13 million customers around the world use the My BMW App and MINI App, with one million of these based in Germany alone. Both apps have an average rating of 4.8 stars in the App Store.
The apps keep drivers informed of the current status of their BMW or MINI, as well as allowing them to lock and unlock the doors, switch on the climate control, send destination addresses to the navigation system, or use the Remote 3D View feature to call up an image of the vehicle’s immediate vicinity or its interior. They can go to the Services & Store tab to check out the available digital services or obtain ConnectedDrive Upgrades. If the BMW or MINI Digital Key Plus has been set up, previously stored manoeuvres and parking functions can be carried out from outside the car while standing nearby.

Servicing and maintenance requirements can also be managed from the two apps. For example, users receive a push notification if their car needs to be serviced and can make an appointment directly in the app. The app also provides support during the service process, including check-in, service videos, status tracking and payment. Accident and breakdown assistance can likewise be accessed quickly using the app.

The availability of individual functions varies according to the vehicle specification and country involved.

* cf. for example statista survey on “reasons against buying an all-electric vehicle”

[hufington]

No change for us ICE dinosaurs.

[thebmw]

I'm sure this app is great, but am I the only one that actually wants to drive when I drive and not stare at an app that tells me how to drive?

[Igor_M5]

Originally Posted by thebmw

I'm sure this app is great, but am I the only one that actually wants to drive when I drive and not stare at an app that tells me how to drive?

Pretty sure you’re the only one who intended to comment without reading first.

[10"]

sooooo glad this app cannot affect my car 😂👀☠️

[thebmw]

Originally Posted by Igor_M5

Pretty sure you’re the only one who intended to comment without reading first.

I read enough to know that:
1. App is not for me
2. App does not apply to any of my cars
3. I have no interest in more apps on my phone
4. I have no interest in an EV
5. App does not apply to ICE, manuals, hydraulic steering cars, cars with soul, etc

But like I said, I'm sure it is a good app.

[MKParris]

Originally Posted by thebmw

I read enough to know that:
1. App is not for me
2. App does not apply to any of my cars
3. I have no interest in more apps on my phone
4. I have no interest in an EV
5. App does not apply to ICE, manuals, hydraulic steering cars, cars with soul, etc

But like I said, I'm sure it is a good app.

And the APP is intended to make BMW more money by making you buy an electric car.

[cfm56d7b]

If someone has extra time to review the fine print in how BMW would use the customer’s data, many of us would be grateful.

[Bimmerfun82]

BMW has a lot riding on the success of BEV and neue klasse. Meanwhile BEVs are gathering dust in inventory…

[Ibiza]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

BMW has a lot riding on the success of BEV and neue klasse. Meanwhile BEVs are gathering dust in inventory…

Highly doubt this app update will change the minds of enthusiasts who are anti-EV. BMW couldn’t give me a free EV lease to drive a EV, Porsche yes.

Europe is a different story as for example Italian autostrada gas stations now have dedicated EV charge station areas.

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by thebmw

5. App does not apply to ICE, manuals, hydraulic steering cars, cars with soul, etc.

As if 3 of 4 aren’t already gone.

The 4th is on its deathbed.

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by thebmw

I'm sure this app is great, but am I the only one that actually wants to drive when I drive and not stare at an app that tells me how to drive?

On this forum, no.

But on the road and writing checks to BMW, certainly in the minority. Have you seen people “driving?” They’re all staring at their phones.

[SoCali E36]

There was a widely used word we all used in the 90s and 2000s that’s would be perfect to describe this. Now it’s not PC.

[G30 B58]

Originally Posted by SoCali E36

There was a widely used word we all used in the 90s and 2000s that’s would be perfect to describe this. Now it’s not PC.

you can say lame.

[GaSelle]

Originally Posted by thebmw

I'm sure this app is great, but am I the only one that actually wants to drive when I drive and not stare at an app that tells me how to drive?

It´s not intended for use WHILE you drive. It´s just added functions to the normal BMW app, that can control your car (lock/unlock/flash/horn/statistics/send GPS address etc.)

[odiesback]

First signs to BMW that EVs are not moving as expected? - app trying to convince drivers wicks desperation

[yousefnjr]

Originally Posted by thebmw

I read enough to know that:
1. App is not for me
2. App does not apply to any of my cars
3. I have no interest in more apps on my phone
4. I have no interest in an EV
5. App does not apply to ICE, manuals, hydraulic steering cars, cars with soul, etc

But like I said, I'm sure it is a good app.

Actually, the app does apply to ICE cars. It’s not what you think it is.

[thebmw]

Originally Posted by yousefnjr

Actually, the app does apply to ICE cars. It’s not what you think it is.

LOL. That is funny that the app, which I would have to download, open on my phone, use up my battery, undoubtedly send data to BMW, and stare at my phone screen will help me know my TPMS data (which has been available on cars for 15 years or so) and my fuel tank (available since the last millennium).

[Hit_Apex]

Originally Posted by thebmw

2. App does not apply to any of my cars

Stop commenting then.

[thebmw]

Originally Posted by Hit_Apex

Stop commenting then.

If someone asks if I read the post, I'll respond. It's called a forum and that's what people do, comment.

[Hit_Apex]

Originally Posted by thebmw

If someone asks if I read the post, I'll respond. It's called a forum and that's what people do, comment.

I get it, you have rights and opinions and free to annoy and troll. Here is mine, your opinion is more noise than signal and contributes very little to a discussion about the role of technology in car management.

[thebmw]

Originally Posted by Hit_Apex

I get it, you have rights and opinions and free to annoy and troll. Here is mine, your opinion is more noise than signal and contributes very little to a discussion about the role of technology in car management.

My first post was a question. Second was a list of facts. Third were facts. Your 2 posts were mean spirited opinions and falsehoods. You need to chill or see a therapist (facts, not opinions).