A long-standing commitment.
Our relentless focus on innovation is nothing new. In fact, our first electric vehicle hit the road more than 50 years ago.
1972
BMW 1602.
Unveiled at the Olympic Games in Munich, this spirited sports car becomes the first electric BMW.
1973
First environmental officer.
Making history, BMW appoints Manfred Heller as the automotive industry’s first environmental officer.
2000
Focus on sustainability.
Sustainability officially becomes a guiding principle of BMW's corporate strategy.
2003
Gas-to-energy project.
Plant Spartanburg launches an ambitious project to collect, clean and compress methane gas to help generate power and heat water more efficiently.
Environmental efforts at BMW Group's plant in Spartanburg, SC.
Landfill Gas-to-Energy Initiative
Methane gas coming from a landfill is used to cogenerate electrical power and heat water more efficiently.
Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Technology
BMW runs a large hydrogen fuel cell fleet that supplies the production line on a daily basis.
Wastewater Reclamation
Overall water consumption is reduced throughout the plant by reusing water in multiple processes and areas.
Recycling initiatives.
Battery recycling.
Through BMW Group's partnership with Redwood Materials, lithium-ion batteries are recycled from all BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad vehicles in the U.S. including all-electric and plug-in hybrids. In the future, the goal of BMW Group is to go beyond recycling to reclaim raw materials to build new batteries.
Recycled tires.
The average BMW goes through 17.5 tires in its lifetime. We work with US dealers to ensure that the tires taken off your vehicle are recycled responsibly.
Recycled steel.
Steel scraps are collected and recycled at the plant's press shop. By reusing materials, BMW seeks to reduce waste and optimize the production of vehicle parts.
BMW Group's worldwide leadership.
Reduced fossil fuel use
The new Debrecen, Hungary BMW Group Plant has an ambitious goal: to be the world’s first automobile plant with no fossil-based energy sources used throughout vehicle production. Fittingly, BMW’s groundbreaking Neue Klasse vehicles will be produced here.
Reduced water consumption
BMW's plant in Munich uses reverse osmosis to process wastewater, reducing annual freshwater consumption by more than 2 million gallons, more than the volume of three Olympic swimming pools. The plants on the roof of the paint shop—spanning almost half the size of a New York City Block—contribute to improved insulation of the plant and air quality.
Increased clean energy
Approximately 10% of the San Luis Potosi plant's total electricity needs are met by a 71,000 square meter solar panel installation that provides photovoltaic electricity. The remaining 90% comes from external photovoltaic plants. A residual heat system in the paint shop further reduces the need for natural gas, while water efficiency is prioritized with a partial repurposing of all treated water. The plant also sorts waste for recovery or recycling in pursuit of a zero waste-to-landfill pipeline.