World first! New BMW eDrive Zones ensure your plug-in hybrid automatically runs on electrical power only to save fuel, save money, and minimise pollution in UK cities. Furthermore, it is standard on every 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, and X5 (new plug-in models). You can also upgrade your older car via a free, over-the-air software update. Let us consider how this new service operates.
To clarify, your plug-in hybrid has a conventional engine that burns petrol/diesel and a quieter, zero emission, electric motor. It can be propelled by the engine only, the motor only, or both simultaneously depending on the circumstances. For example, it is often preferable to only use the electric motor in cities. But why?
For starters, the extra power of the engine is not typically required for the slow, stop/start traffic typical of congested areas. It is therefore best to switch it off, save fuel, and minimise emissions – particularly as cities tend to have more air pollution than other parts of the country (and higher populations).
BMW eDrive Zones knows your car has entered the London Ultra Low Emission Zone or the new, forthcoming Birmingham Clean Air Zone. How? Via GPS. It then swaps it to pure electric mode if there is power in the battery. There is no need to press a button. Simply save fuel, save money, and minimise pollution automatically. In time, eDrive Zones will work in other cities too. Watch this space.