BMW Group's latest iX3 model spearheads its commitment to sustainable innovation
The BMW iX3 50 xDrive, the first model in BMW's revolutionary Neue Klasse, represents a significant milestone in the BMW Group's journey towards a more sustainable future. This electric vehicle is a testament to BMW's commitment to reducing CO2 emissions and achieving its ambitious targets.
The Neue Klasse line of vehicles is designed to be a cornerstone in BMW's transformation, combining cutting-edge design, excellent performance, and a concrete commitment to sustainability. The iX3, in particular, is a manifesto of BMW's vision for a responsible automotive industry.
A Leap Towards a More Sustainable Future
The BMW iX3 50 xDrive is a significant step towards a more sustainable automotive future. With power from the European energy mix, it surpasses an equivalent combustion model after 21,500 kilometers (combined WLTP cycle). But the iX3's sustainability credentials go beyond just its use phase.
Embracing Circularity
The iX3's focus on circularity extends to its components. For instance, 70% of the cast aluminum wheels in the BMW iX3 are made from recycled materials. Moreover, 80% of the wheel supports and steering bearings are also made from secondary aluminum.
Battery Innovations
The iX3's batteries are no exception. The vehicle uses sixth-generation high-voltage batteries with improved energy density, requiring fewer raw materials. Production incorporates renewable energy and high recycled content, further reducing embedded CO2e emissions in this key component. In fact, the sixth-generation batteries contain 50% recycled cobalt, lithium, and nickel.
Supply Chain Emissions Reduction
The iX3's supply chain reduces CO2e emissions by 35% during development through intensive use of secondary materials and renewable energy. This reduction is a significant achievement towards BMW's 2030 objective of cutting 40 million tons of CO2e emissions versus 2019 levels, and sets a cornerstone toward the ambitious 2050 goal of net-zero emissions.
Holistic Approach to Sustainability
The iX3 embodies a holistic approach to sustainability, considering the entire product lifecycle. This includes reducing the carbon footprint in raw materials sourcing, manufacturing (notably by using renewable energy in the Hungarian plant and suppliers), vehicle production (battery included), and long-term recyclability.
Ocean Cleanup Contributions
The iX3's focus on circularity also extends to contributing to ocean cleanup. For example, 30% of the materials for the engine compartment and storage area come from recycled marine plastic, such as fishing nets and ropes.
In summary, the BMW iX3 achieves a 35% CO2e supply chain emission reduction during development, establishes an early usage-phase carbon break-even with ICE vehicles within ~17,500 to 21,500 km, and exemplifies BMW’s lifecycle decarbonization strategy that drives the company’s larger 2030 and 2050 sustainability targets. The iX3 sets the course for a future where mobility is synonymous with environmental respect.
- The BMW iX3's use of sixth-generation high-voltage batteries with improved energy density demonstrates a commitment to sustainable living and reduced dependence on raw materials.
- The iX3's circularity extends to its components, with 70% of its cast aluminum wheels made from recycled materials and 80% of the wheel supports and steering bearings fashioned from secondary aluminum.
- BMW's iX3 production process incorporates renewable energy and high recycled content in the sixth-generation batteries, using 50% recycled cobalt, lithium, and nickel.
- The iX3's supply chain reduces CO2e emissions by 35% during development, a significant step towards BMW's 2030 objective of cutting 40 million tons of CO2e emissions versus 2019 levels.
- In an effort to minimize its environmental impact, the BMW iX3 also uses materials for the engine compartment and storage area derived from recycled marine plastic, such as fishing nets and ropes, contributing to ocean cleanup.
