Porsche Will Make Charging An Electric Vehicle Easier

Even if you don't drive a Porsche.

If you live in the United States and drive an electric car, your options to stop at a fast charging station are limited - unless of course your car has a Tesla badge on it. Tesla's supercharger network is widespread across the country and even in certain parts of Europe. Not to be outdone by the upstart electric car maker, BMW, Ford, Mercedes, and Volkswagen have joined forces to create their own line of fast charging stations. The project won't be complete until 2020, but one of VW's subsidiaries, Porsche, has its own way of improving the EV charging experience.

Porsche has just launched what it calls the "Porsche Charging Service." This digital service is designed to make life easier for EV and plug-in hybrid drivers.

The app can tie in with the built-in Porsche navigation system to find the nearest charging station, then use centrally stored data to handle the payment process across multiple countries and currencies. The app is free to download, and can alert drivers of the cost of charging their vehicle, in real time. At the charging station, users can identify themselves using a QR code on the app or with their “Porsche ID card”, which is given free of charge after registering for the service. Currently the service is available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Finland, with more countries set to be added by the end of 2018.

This service will be extremely important when the brand launches its first EV: the Taycan. For now, plug-in hybrid versions of the Cayenne and Panamera will benefit from the service. Interestingly, the app can also be utilized by other plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, even if they don't carry the Porsche crest.

BMW Charging Lots Of Money For Fancier X1

The new X2's base price is nearly $5k more than the X1's.

If there’s a new automotive segment that could be there but currently isn’t, leave it to BMW to fill in the blank. The German automaker has become a master at finding potential new segments. Best example: the X6. Nobody asked for it and yet it’s become a huge success. And now BMW is attempting to replicate that success with its new X2, a sleeker version of the X1 crossover. With the aim of appealing to younger buyers, the X2 definitely has the looks to do so, but when it comes to pricing, well, that may be a hindrance.

CarsDirect has learned that 2018 BMW X2 xDrive28i pricing begins at a hefty $39,395, including the $995 destination fee. To compare, that’s $2,500 more than the X1 xDrive28i. What are the main differences between the two? The X2 has sharper styling with its coupe-like roof and is also 3.2-inches shorter. Both crossovers share the same 2.0-liter turbo four with 228 hp and most other mechanicals. Outside of BMW, what else will the X2 be competing against? There’s the Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4Matic, which begins at $36,395, the Acura RDX ($38,295), and the Land Rover Discovery Sport SE 4x4 ($38,790). And remember, that nearly $40k X2 base price is just that, the base price.

Tack on extras such as the Driver Assistance Package ($700), M SportX Package ($4,650), and the $2,350 Convenience Package, and you’re awfully close to $50k. Oh, you want leather seats? No problem. The X2’s price will immediately climb above $43,000 in that case. BMW figures X1 shoppers who want something a bit more unique with sexier styling will be tempted to cough up the extra dough, and this assumption will more than likely turn out to be true.