BMW today announced the U.S. markets that will be part of its field trial of the ActiveE – the first all-electric BMW. Official news below:
Later today at Opportunity Green in Los Angeles, BMW will announce the markets which will participate in the BMW ActiveE field trial when it begins in summer 2011. The New York metro market and the Greater Los Angeles Area will again play key roles. In Southern California, the metropolitan market of San Diego will be included. Northern California will be included in the BMW ActiveE field trial with the Greater San Francisco and Sacramento areas. In addition to select markets in Connecticut, Boston will provide new opportunities to gain experience in this trial.
The BMW ActiveE field trial will build on the success and experience gained during the MINI E field trial, now in its second year. Experience gained in this second-phase trial will prepare the BMW Group for the launch of its purpose-designed Megacity Vehicle in 2013.
“We were the first automaker to put 450 electric vehicles on US roads for daily use. We have gained so much insight into living with an EV with our MINI E pioneers over the last year,” said Rich Steinberg, Manager of Electric Vehicle Operations and Strategy for BMW of North America. “Partners like the City of New York’s Mayor’s Office, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Southern California Edison have also been critical to the success of the program. We’re looking forward to working with more drivers in more markets to build on our base of experience as we get ready for the launch of the Megacity Vehicle, and we look forward to even greater collaboration with the BMW ActiveE.”
“In addition to our existing and new pioneers in each of these markets, we are looking forward to working with our new strategic partners the City of San Francisco Department of Transportation, San Francisco Clean Cities Coalition, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Boston, San Diego Gas & Electric, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Northeast Utilities and subsidiary Connecticut Light & Power, Sacramento Municipal Utilities District and New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition,” added Steinberg.
The BMW ActiveE field trial is set to begin in Summer 2011.