BMW-owned car sharing venture Drivenow expands electric car fleet

BMW's car sharing service Drivenow has added 130 all-electric cars to its London fleet, as it pushes to meet the capital's air quality requirements.

The extra 130 BMW i3 vehicles will join Drivenow's current electric fleet of 50 cars, as well as its other 540 BMW and Mini vehicles across the city.

Drivenow said the new cars will add 160 miles of driving range compared to the older models, which will be it will phased out throughout April later this year.

"The introduction of the new BMW i3s is such a positive step forward for Drivenow and the e-mobility industry," said a company spokesperson. 

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"It makes sense for us to expand our electric fleet and continue to offer customers a sustainable alternative to privately-owned transport. We have an important role to play in London, helping to normalise EV use and contribute further to improvements in air quality."

Founded in 2011, Drivenow was a joint venture between BMW and rental firm Sixt before becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW last year.

The move comes after Uber introduced a 'clean air fee' in London last year, adding a 15p price hike on to every mile in the capital to fund its transition to an all-electric fleet by 2025.