BMW’s Green Revolution: Embracing “Circularity” at Climate Week NYC
BMW is serious about sustainability. At the recent Climate Week gathering in New York City, the luxury automaker showcased its ambitious plans to make the car industry cleaner, greener, and more profitable. Key to this strategy is a concept BMW repeatedly emphasized: “Circularity,” which goes beyond traditional recycling to create a more complete and less wasteful production process.
A Bold Strategy for Decarbonization
The BMW Group has set a clear goal: by 2030, it aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 40% per vehicle across its entire value chain, compared to 2019 levels. This ambitious target comes as the focus of CO2 emissions shifts towards the supply chain, especially with the growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs). BMW already offers 25 fully electric models and expects one in two new cars it sells by 2030 to be fully electric.
“Circularity” – More Than Just Recycling
Glenn Schmidt, Vice President of Sustainability Strategy at BMW, explained that “Circularity” is a fundamental shift from the linear “extract, use, dispose” model of the past. Instead, it’s about creating a “closed loop,” much like nature, where materials are constantly reused and recycled.
“You are, yes, extracting material, you’re using it, you’re converting it into a product, and then at the end of it, ideally, you’re reusing as well,” Schmidt clarified. While this innovative approach requires upfront investment, BMW is convinced it makes strong business sense in the long run.
The Neue Klasse iX3: A Circularity Showcase
The recently previewed Neue Klasse iX3, the first of BMW’s next-generation EVs, is a prime example of this commitment to circularity. Nils Hesse, Vice President of Product Sustainability, revealed that one-third of the iX3 is made from recycled materials.
Key highlights of the iX3’s sustainable design include:
- Recycled Aluminum Wheels: The iX3’s wheels are made from 70% recycled aluminum, even for highly stressed components.
- Material Purity: The focus is on using single-element materials to make recycling more profitable at the end of the vehicle’s life.
Tackling Production Emissions
BMW is also intensively working to reduce CO2 emissions during the production process, especially for EVs. Battery cells alone account for about 50% of the CO2 emitted during the iX3’s production, with steel, aluminum, and thermoplastics making up 90% of the supply chain and production CO2 footprint.
Hesse proudly stated that the iX3 (with its large 108-kWh battery) will achieve CO2 emissions parity with a comparable gasoline-powered car within approximately one year of production and use. This is a significant improvement from the previous estimate of 10,000 miles, showcasing the effectiveness of BMW’s green initiatives.
This commitment from BMW not only aligns with the Paris climate agreement but also demonstrates how innovation can lead to both environmental responsibility and long-term profitability in the automotive industry.
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