At BMW, sustainability isn’t just an aspiration for the future. It’s an attitude that drives everything we do. From how our materials are sourced, to the way in which our vehicles are manufactured, we’ve reimagined every aspect of our supply chain to minimize environmental impact today, and lead the charge to a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.
Read below to discover why BMW is ranked as the the most sustainable automotive company in the world by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
I firmly believe the fight against climate change and how we use resources will decide the future of our society. That is why we are taking responsibility here and now and making these issues central to our strategic direction. We are taking sustainability to the next level.
OLIVER ZIPSE – CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT OF BMW AG
100%
RENEWABLE ENERGY USED TO POWER BMW GROUP PRODUCTION PLANTS.
Green Electricity Since 2020, we procure all our external electric power from renewable energy sources for the BMW Group production sites worldwide. In fact, production of the i4, i5 and the iX is entirely powered by hydroelectricity from the rivers Isar and Lech.
99%
Of the waste generated worldwide in our internal production of 2.5 million vehicles per year in 2021 is subject to material recycling (93.4%) or thermal recycling (5.8%).
Recycling Waste In the production of new BMW vehicles, materials are recycled wherever it makes sense to do so. With appropriate processing, any recoverable materials produced can be reused as recycled material. For this reason, we do not consider end-of-life vehicles as waste to be disposed of, but as a source of secondary raw materials.
78%
REDUCED EMISSIONS.
Reduced CO2 Emissions From 2006 and 2022, the BMW Group reduced the emissions generated during the production of every vehicle by 78.1%.
SECONDARY ALUMINUM USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION. When it comes to recycling materials, today we use up to 50% secondary aluminum and 25% secondary steel in certain components, and up to 20% thermoplastics. In this way, we are committed to life cycle engineering for efficient recycling, because the use of secondary materials reduces the CO2 footprint considerably.
REDUCTION OF CO2 EMISSIONS BY 2030. The BMW Group has a direct influence on the CO2 emissions of its own plants and locations and already represents a benchmark there in terms of resource efficiency. By the year 2030, we aim to reduce the CO2 emissions of our vehicle production plants by 80% per vehicle compared to 2019.
VEHICLE TAKEBACK POINTS WORLDWIDE. Together with our national sales companies, BMW Group has already organized the taking back of end-of-life vehicles in 30 countries and offers environmentally friendly recycling services at more than 2,800 take-back centres.
Olive Leaf Extract How does it feel to sit on an olive leaf? The surface of the leather used for the seats and instrument panel of the BMW iX is treated with a natural olive leaf extract, thereby avoiding any production residue that is harmful to the environment.
Recycled Fishing Nets Despite the luxurious look and feel of the BMW iX’s interior, a high proportion of the materials used for the floor coverings and floor mats are made from nylon produced using old fishing nets recovered from the sea. It’s proof that ‘high-quality’ and ‘sustainability’ need not be mutually exclusive.
FSC-Certified Wood The optional glass and wood controls on the control panel and centre console of the BMW iX are made from sustainably grown wood with a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. This certification represents the gold standard of sustainable forestry practices, and BMW is proud to work within the council’s strict standards.
Dinamica The seat coverings of the BMW iX are made from Dinamica, a microfibre material that incorporates 50% recycled polyester. Because when it comes to leading the way to a sustainable future, every detail counts.
Plastic Recycling Many components of your BMW are made from recycled materials. These include the guides for the bumpers, the substructure of the door panels, the windscreen panel cover, and the frame of the front cowling in the BMW iX, which are all produced from 100% recycled plastic.
Cactus Fibres BMW Group is working with startups to develop innovative bio-based materials. The newly developed Deserttex™, for instance, is made from pulverised cactus fibres and a bio-based polyurethane matrix. This allows us to avoid using animal-based products while reducing our CO2 emissions.
More Sustainable Automotive Paints made from Biomass European BMW Group plants use matt-finish paints that are produced from regenerative raw materials such as biological waste, rather than crude oil. The plants in Rosslyn and Leipzig also use a sustainably produced anti-corrosive coating. The resulting CO2 reductions are set to amount to more than 15,000 tonnes between 2022 and 2030.
No Rare Earth Materials The electric motors of the BMW i4 are made without the use of rare earth materials, allowing the BMW Group not to be reliant on their availability – which is highly limited in supply.
Sustainably Sourced Cobalt The proportion of cobalt contained in the latest generation of BMW battery cells is less than 10%. In addition, the cobalt is only procured from suppliers that implement high sustainability and corporate responsibility practices – meaning you can charge forward knowing your BMW was created ethically.
The BMW Group is the first German automobile producer to join Business Ambition for 1.5 °C, which commits us to climate neutrality along the value-added chain by 2050. As a consequence, we are automatically a member of the UN Race to Zero programme. Furthermore, our long-standing membership of the United Nations Environmental Programme is yet another indication of how seriously the BMW Group takes sustainability.
Development In the Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre in Munich, the BMW Group conducts research into the ideal chemical composition for the cells in a lithium-ion battery. This involves subjecting the constituent parts of cathode, anode, separator, and electrolyte to a sophisticated development process.
Use in Vehicle Today’s electric vehicles can achieve a mileage range similar to their conventional counterparts.
Second Life Following its use in vehicle, it’s possible to extend the life of the lithium-ion battery. For example, these batteries can be used as stationary storage in battery farms before entering the recycling process.
Recycling The raw materials of the battery cell can be reprocessed. In the Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre, the BMW Group is developing the recycling of secondary raw materials for the next generation of batteries. This marks the end of the life cycle for the battery – before it starts all over again.
How sustainable are electric cars?
The CO2 footprint of the fully electric BMW iX3, for example, is 30% more favourable than a BMW X3 sDrive20d taken as reference vehicle when the average electricity available on the European market is used (based on a consumption in line with the statutory WLTP cycle). If the battery is exclusively charged with electricity from renewable energies, the savings in CO2 emissions rise to 60%.
How long does the battery of an electric car last?
The BMW Group has produced more than 1 million electrified models in the last 10 years. Therefore, when you purchase a new BMW plug-in hybrid or a BMW i electric vehicle, you will receive an extended warranty for the high-voltage battery with a maximum mileage of up to 160,000 km.
What sustainability standards apply to BMW suppliers?
The BMW Group applies a large number of measures to ensure environmental and social standards within the supplier network. BMW expects all suppliers to implement an effective programme of environmental protection management, to adhere to environmental standards, and to continuously minimize resource consumption and environmental impacts (energy, water, waste, emissions, etc.). Various actions, such as audits, are employed to monitor compliance.
How does BMW help me to reduce my CO2 footprint?
Switching to an electrified BMW model can reduce your CO2 footprint compared to vehicles fitted with a classic combustion engine. Technologies such as eDrive Zones help to realize the full potential of a BMW plug-in hybrid. Furthermore, the My BMW App offers smart services for a driving style that conserves resources.
Find out more at https://www.bmw.ca/en/topics/offers-and-services/bmw-digital-services-and-connectivity/my-bmw-app.html.