BMW i3 – sustainability

SUSTAINABILITY IS THE ANSWER THAT CALLS EVERYTHING INTO QUESTION.

BMW i

The BMW i3 – sustainability thought through from being top end.

It takes more than just zero-emission motoring to drive sustainable change in the world. So when we designed the value chain for the BMW i3, we did so with a focus on sustainability from start to finish – from the development stage onwards and throughout the production process. That means you can be sure that the driving pleasure you experience at the wheel of your BMW i3 is fully sustainable.
From the earliest stages of the development process we geared the entire vehicle concept to efficient and sustainable electric mobility. Renewable and recycled materials help protect the environment and replace conventional materials such as plastic.

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    • SUSTAINABILITY IS THE ANSWER THAT CALLS EVERYTHING INTO QUESTION.The BMW i3 – sustainability thought through from being top end.
    BMW i3

    INTELLIGENT SUSTAINABILITY.

    Sustainability at BMW i is not simply just a word. It is our supreme guiding principle. This is why we have designed the entire life cycle of the BMW i3 in line with the principle of maximum conservation of resources and sustainability.

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    DEVELOPMENT.
    PRODUCTION.
    USE.
    RECYCLING.
    Development

    DEVELOPMENT.

    - The entire vehicle concept was developed with e-mobility in mind, from the bottom up
    - Innovative aerodynamics reduce air resistance and thus minimise energy consumption
    - Renewable and recycled materials help protect the environment and replace conventional materials such as plastic
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    Production

    PRODUCTION.

    - The carbon fibres are produced with 100% water power
    - Production of the BMW i3 in Leipzig is 100% powered by wind energy
    - The energy required in production has been halved compared to the already low energy consumption of other BMW models
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    Use

    USE.

    - There are no emissions while driving. This reduces air pollution in urban areas
    - When you drive the BMW i3, you hear and smell practically nothing. When you fill up with green energy or create your electricity yourself with solar panels, you’re genuinely driving with zero emissions
    - The ECO PRO mode increases the range of the car and cuts electricity consumption
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    Recycling

    RECYCLING.

    - Up to 95% of the BMW i3 is recyclable
    - For example, the battery modules can be reused to store solar energy
    - Excesas carbon fibres can be re-introduced to the production process
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    Sustainable production

    SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION.

    At our production plant in Leipzig we have installed wind turbines to enable us to manufacture the BMW i3 with green power. On top of this, even compared to the low energy requirements for the production of other BMW models, we have managed to halve the amount of energy required to produce a BMW i3.
    The carbon fibres from which the BMW i3’s ultralight passenger cell is made are produced with energy generated entirely from renewables. The power comes from one of the world’s largest hydroelectric plants at Moses Lake, some 300 kilometres east of Seattle.

    Up to 95% of the BMW i3 is Recyclable

    UP TO 95 % OF THE BMW i3 IS RECYCLABLE.

    UP TO 95 % OF THE BMW i3 IS RECYCLABLE.

    SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS.

    Components made of 30 % kenaf
    Seats with 40 % pure new wool
    Interior trim in eucalyptus
    100 % olive-leaf-tanned leather
    Components made of 30 % kenaf

    Components made of 30 % kenaf.

    Using kenaf for larger interior surfaces allows us to substitute petroleum-based plastics and reduce the overall weight of the BMW i3, because kenaf fibres are up to 30 % lighter than conventional materials. They add an authentic touch to the overall sustainability concept of the BMW i3. This extremely lightweight material is extracted from the mallow plant, which converts an above-average volume of CO2 to oxygen as it grows.
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    Seats with 40 % pure new wool

    Seats with 40 % pure new wool.

    One renewable material that offers a high level of comfort is certified pure new wool. In the Lodge interior design package, this accounts for 40 % of the material in the seat covers. The wool blend is breathable, helping to regulate the temperature between the seat cover and the occupant. As a result, the seats remain pleasantly cool, even on hot days.
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    Interior trim in eucalyptus

    Interior trim in eucalyptus.

    Eucalyptus is naturally resistant to moisture. That means it needs around 90 % less surface finishing than more traditional types of wood. As it is processed without chemicals, the soft texture and natural open pores of the wood remain intact. Eucalyptus are one of the fastest-growing species of tree in existence, which makes eucalyptus ideal for series production. All wood in the BMW i3 is sourced from 100 % FSC-certified forestry, helping to safeguard sustainable forest management.
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    100 % olive-leaf-tanned leather

    100 % olive-leaf-tanned leather.

    The leather in the BMW i3 is 100 % tanned with natural extracts of olive leaves. This has several advantages: olive leaves are otherwise just a by-product of olive farming, and this puts them to good use. The tanning process itself is environmentally compatible and, last but not least, it preserves the intrinsic shine of the leather and its natural ability to regulate temperatures.
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    The design of the BMW i3

    GREEN ENERGY.

    With the BMW i3 it’s easy to make sustainability part of your everyday life. Zero emissions at the point of use means less air pollution in urban areas and more fresh air for you to breathe. When you fill up with green power or generate your own electricity with solar panels, you get to enjoy totally emission-free mobility. And driving in ECO PRO mode cuts your power consumption and increases your driving range.

    Added to which, in your BMW i3 you generate virtually no noise or odours, benefitting both yourself and your environment.

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    Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

    • Power consumption and CO2 emissions for the BMW i3 (94 Ah):
      Fuel consumption in l/100 km (combined): 0
      CO2 emissions in g/km (combined): 0
      Power consumption in kWh/100 km: 12.6* / 13.1**

      Power consumption and CO2 emissions for the BMW i3 (94 Ah) with Range Extender:
      CO2 emissions in g/km (combined): 12* / 13**
      Power consumption in kWh/100 km (combined): 11.3* / 11.9**
      Fuel consumption in l/100 km (combined): 0.6

      * Wheels cluster 1: 19‘‘ wheels

      ** Wheels cluster 2: 20“ wheels; winter tyres

      The figures for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and power consumption depend on the wheel and tyre sizes selected.

      The driving range depends on a variety of factors, especially: personal driving behaviour, selected route, weather conditions, usage of heating/cooling and preconditioning.

      Further information about the official fuel consumption and the official specific CO2 emissions for new passenger automobiles can be found in the 'New Passenger Vehicle Fuel Consumption and CO2 Emission Guidelines', which are available free of charge at all sales outlets and from DAT Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH, Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern, Germany.