To provide what can only be called, “the future of parking”, BMW has announced that its new i brand of eco-machines has signed an agreement with Now! Innovations.

The new tie-up does promise a great level of convenience for user, with an app for iPhone and Android smartphones that will allow users to reserve and pay for a parking spot, including on-street parking. Also the app can then navigate them directly to their spot. As of now, there are 35 ParkNow stations set up in and around San Francisco, California. BMW’s strategic partnership with Now! Innovations will offer mobile payment and billing solutions on three continents and eight countries.

“Now! Innovations is a perfect match for us,” said Joachim Hauser, Director of BMW i Mobility Services. “The current scope of out ParkNow service is off-street parking. With the on-street capabilities of Now! Innovations we will soon be able to strategically enhance our product offer and be even more attractive for our customers. The integration of on-street parking is a major step in creating a one-stop parking experience. Given our investments in Park@MyHouse and Parkopedia, we have a sound parking portfolio.”

Although BMW has yet to announce as much, it is obvious the tie-in is more than just a modern way for driver’s of its new i plug-in cars to park, with obvious implications for booking parking spots where electric charging stations are available. BMW will begin sales of the new i3 model this year.