Copenhagen to get 400 BMW i3 cars to drive inter-connected mobility

Following the successful introduction of the BMW i3 to the DriveNow fleets in Germany, the UK and the USA, the German carmaker is to commission 400 i3 cars in Copenhagen on September 3, 2015.

What is new here is an all-electric fleet which is also interconnected with public transport. The future-oriented business model stands for even more targeted orientation of individual mobility towards the needs of people in metropolitan regions.

BMW says the i3 fulfills the requirements of this major project. Besides being designed as an emission-free electric car, it is also the world’s first automobile offering ‘intermodal routing’, i.e. the incorporation of public transport services into the navigation system’s route guidance in the car.

The Danish branch of the British Arriva PLC, with a share of 50 percent is the largest bus operator in Copenhagen.

Dr Bernhard Blättel, head of BMW Group mobility services, said: “Here in Copenhagen we are now already witnessing mobility of the future. It is on-demand technology, interconnected, quiet and electric. We are pleased to be able to introduce the capabilities of the BMW i3 and our expertise in future-oriented mobility concepts here in the Danish capital.”

Regarding the collaboration with Arriva, he added: “We are not rivals, but cooperate with the providers of public transport in order to further develop urban mobility in a customer-oriented and sustainable way.”

”We are proud and very happy to introduce this innovative solution to the city of Copenhagen together with our strong business partners. Furthermore, I am confident that DriveNow will prove as a unique opportunity for people to try out and enjoy the green means of transportation. This will contribute to a breakthrough for the electric cars,” said Nikolaj Wendelboe, CEO of Arriva Denmark.