Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany. No adaptions have been made to cater to the UK market.   

Munich/Wackersdorf. The BMW Group is relocating its Recycling and Dismantling Centre (RDC) from Unterschleißheim to the company’s Wackersdorf site, with a significant expansion. At the new location, a technologically state-of-the-art competence centre for circularity is being built, advancing vehicle dismantling and recycling expertise for the future. Commissioning is scheduled for early 2029.

“The circular economy is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy,” says Jörg Lederbauer, Vice-President Circular Economy, Spare Parts Supply High Voltage Battery and Electric Powertrain at the BMW Group. “Our new competence centre in Wackersdorf will be a core component of our circular value chain and will help make the mobility of the future more resource efficient. We want to find the best way to keep materials in the cycle, ensuring that resources retain their value for further use in the long term. This will also reduce our dependence on primary raw materials. At the same time, the use of high-quality secondary materials will continue to significantly lower our vehicles’ carbon footprint.”

For more than 30 years, at its current location in Unterschleißheim, near Munich, the BMW Group Recycling and Dismantling Centre (RDC) has developed methods aimed at achieving significant advances in the recycling of parts and the recovery of materials, and has tested them in practice. The insights gained by the RDC into the recyclability of components and materials, in line with Design for Circularity principles, are already incorporated into product development at the BMW Group. These insights also feed into the cooperation with PreZero, which the BMW Group recently entered into in order to leverage the strategic and economic potential of the circular economy in end‑of‑life vehicle recycling. 

The recycling industry’s global network also benefits from the work of the RDC. Around 3,000 businesses in 32 countries rely on a shared recycling database for information on how recyclable components can be disassembled cost-effectively and valuable materials efficiently recovered.

At the future site, process, material and technology development will be even more closely integrated with vehicle recycling operations. The new scope of activities at the Competence Centre Circularity includes the recycling of hydrogen vehicles, automation of dismantling processes and development of expertise in innovative shredding and sorting technologies.

The BMW Group sees Wackersdorf as the ideal new location for the Competence Centre Circularity, with BMW Group Plant Wackersdorf having embodied flexibility for decades: Housing cockpit production, the Rolls-Royce door and flap production centre, parts supply for overseas plants and the battery testing centre, the site has wide-ranging expertise and is firmly established within the BMW Group network.

“In recent years, the company has set a decisive course for the future of the Wackersdorf location. Throughout this process, the entire plant team has consistently demonstrated flexibility. Building the competence centre for circularity here provides our site with a broader foundation. In this way, we are tapping into an attractive, future-oriented area of activity,” says Stefan Betz, head of BMW Group Plant Wackersdorf.

“The company is systematically continuing its successful transformation. Establishing the new Competence Centre Circularity here represents an important strategic decision by the company in favour of the Wackersdorf location – and, above all, its employees. As employee representatives, we also supported this,” says André Mandl, Works Council Chairman for BMW Group Plants Regensburg and Wackersdorf.

“In Wackersdorf, BMW has been a strong partner by our side for many decades. We are delighted that the BMW Group is reaffirming its commitment to the location with this move. It sends a clear signal for our site and for sustainable future technologies,” says Thomas Falter, Mayor of Wackersdorf.

“The cutting-edge Competence Centre Circularity will make a major contribution to regional value creation and further development of the circular economy,” adds Thomas Ebeling, District Administrator of Schwandorf District. “In combination with the trechnology transfer centre planned for Wackersdorf by the Regensburg University of Applied Sciences and the University of Applied Sciences Amberg Weiden, close integration of business and academia on the circular economy will now also be possible. In this way, we are strengthening the region.”

Following the location decision, the detailed planning phase for the Competence Centre Circularity at the new site can now begin. The existing RDC in Unterschleißheim will remain fully operational until the relocation. The BMW Group will provide further information on the next steps in due course.

Note: This press release is a 1:1 copy of the original issued by BMW headquarters in Germany. No adaptions have been made to cater to the UK market. 

Munich, 2 December 2025. The BMW Group has defined a new 2035 milestone for cutting CO₂e emissions on the road to net zero. The company aims to reduce its CO₂e emissions by at least 60 million metric tons compared to 2019 levels, an additional reduction of approximately 20 million tons of CO₂e beyond the existing 2030 target.

In doing so, the BMW Group is pursuing a comprehensive decarbonization strategy along the entire life cycle, with the goal of achieving net zero by 2050 at the latest. This represents a firm commitment to the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. To date, the target has been to cut at least 40 million metric tons of CO₂e across the entire life cycle (scopes 1, 2 and 3) by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. The new 2035 milestone is a logical next step on this road toward advancing decarbonization. At the same time, the climate impact of the BMW Group’s business model will also be drastically reduced. By 2035, each euro generated will see less than half as much CO₂e emitted compared to 2019.

The key measures for achieving these results include the increasing use of renewable energies in production and the supply chain, the increased utilization of secondary raw materials, efficiency improvements in the use phase, as well as product and process innovations. The latter are being implemented across all drive variants as part of the BMW Group’s technology-neutral approach. In addition, an increasing proportion of the vehicle fleet will continue to be electrified.

Decarbonization along the entire life cycle

The BMW Group has intentionally set itself the additional 2035 milestone to consistently advance its decarbonization strategy. Global customer demand for electric vehicles alone will not be sufficient to achieve the CO₂e targets set for 2030 and 2035. The comprehensive approach to reducing CO₂e emissions therefore spans the entire vehicle life cycle, irrespective of the drive variant.

In the supply chain, which is increasingly relevant in terms of CO₂e emissions, especially for electric models, the company focuses on expanding the use of secondary raw materials and renewable energies. The specific priorities are highly CO₂e-emitting components such as high-voltage batteries, aluminum, and steel. In addition, the company will be implementing product and process innovations, such as in the BMW Group’s sixth generation (Gen6) of battery technology.

The BMW Group also applies high standards in production: for example, since 2020, all electricity sourced from external suppliers for all plants worldwide has come exclusively from renewable sources. The BMW Group also works continuously on replacing fossil fuels. The new iX3 plant in Debrecen, Hungary, is the BMW Group’s first car factory to produce vehicles without any fossil fuels such as oil and gas in standard operation.

To lower CO₂e emissions during the use phase, the BMW Group is implementing additional efficiency measures such as BMW EfficientDynamics, in addition to electrifying its vehicle fleet. As a result, efficiency potential in all vehicle subsystems, such as the drive system, tires, and aerodynamics, is consistently identified and implemented, regardless of the drive technology. The new BMW iX3, for instance, uses up to 20% less energy (WLTP combined) than its predecessor.

Reaching the new milestone will also depend on a variety of external factors, such as the transformation of the steel industry in favor of more CO₂e-reduced steel, the expansion of the charging infrastructure, progress in the circular economy, and the advancement of battery cell technologies. This is why the BMW Group continues to pursue a number of strategic initiatives, such as the ongoing expansion of in-house expertise in state-of-the-art battery cell centers of excellence and innovative circular economy projects.

Further  information:

Sustainability in the iX3
Battery Competence Center
Recycling and Dismantling Centre

Bitte wenden Sie sich bei Rückfragen an:

BMW Group, Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit

Isabel Richter
Teamlead Sustainability Communication BMW Group
Telefon: +49-151-601-53189
E-Mail: Isabel.Richter@bmwgroup.com

Internet: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en
E-Mail: presse@bmwgroup.com

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

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BMW UK and UK National Parks today celebrate the success of their three-year “Recharge in Nature” partnership, revealing the project’s impact on the electric vehicle (EV) charging network, nature restoration and wellbeing across all fifteen National Parks.

Beginning in 2022, the Recharge in Nature partnership has seen BMW UK invest a total of £1 million in biodiversity and community projects, as well as funding the installation of 135 new EV charging sockets across the fifteen National Parks. To date, eight National Parks now have chargers live, with installations in the remaining seven National Parks set to be completed by November.

With chargers now installed in many of the National Parks including the Lake District, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, Dartmoor, New Forest and Bannau Brycheiniog, BMW has worked closely with UK National Parks to ensure that these charging points benefit both local people and visitors, by being placed in high traffic areas or areas where infrastructure is lacking.

Emily Barrow, Brand Communication Manager at BMW UK said "Recharge in Nature is a shining example of how partnerships with business can drive meaningful progress. Through investment in electric infrastructure and nature restoration, we've created a lasting legacy that supports not just the environment, but also the communities that care for and enjoy these incredible spaces."

The partnership has also funded 15 critical biodiversity and community projects developed and delivered by the National Parks expert teams, ensuring BMW’s support was received exactly where needed most.

Examples of this include in Eryri National Park, Llyn Tegid – the largest natural freshwater lake in Wales – which is now better protected against pollution. Through engagement with local farmers, Recharge in Nature has supported a range of natural flood management initiatives including creating three new dew ponds and eight natural dams, and planting over 20,000 new trees. These measures help reduce the speed of rainwater run-off, lowering the amount of phosphates leaching into the lake, which would damage its delicate ecosystem and encourage the growth of algae. The project will help Llyn Tegid stay healthy for tourism, and for precious wildlife like the glutinous snail - a tiny creature that’s only found here.

Young people have been at the heart of a project funded in the North York Moors National Park, where they have improved their wellbeing, employability and potential to become tomorrow’s conservationists through 3,000 hours of participatory activity that included learning transferable skills and volunteering. In addition, funding for a new Youth Engagement Ranger in Dartmoor National Park has helped give 1,329 young people, many of whom might otherwise not have opportunities to visit the National Park, a chance to experience and explore the great outdoors.

Catherine Hawkins, Chair of National Parks Partnerships said: "This partnership exemplifies what can be achieved when organisations unite around shared values. BMW UK’s support has not only helped dramatically increase access to EV charging across our National Parks, but also enriched biodiversity and empowered communities. Its success marks a powerful model for future partnerships that protect nature while enabling responsible access for all.”

While the Recharge in Nature project reaches its third year, the final phase includes new charger installations in Northumberland and South Downs National Park together with the Broads who are also expanding EV access further with boat charging posts. Along with the EV charger programme, projects being delivered in the third year of the partnership include the creation and restoration of 35 dew ponds in the Cairngorms, a hay meadow project in the Lake District and am inclusive transport project in Bannau Brycheinog.

Sustainability is at the heart of the BMW Group’s strategy, with a holistic 360° sustainability approach that integrates environmental, social and governance considerations across the value chain. As part of its commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement, the company aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. On the road to net zero, the BMW Group has set science-based CO₂ targets, including a goal to reduce CO₂e emissions by 40 million tonnes by 2030 compared to 2019. Key measures driving this progress include powering production with renewable energy, electrifying its vehicle fleet and increasing the use of renewable energy and secondary raw materials in the supply chain. With a growing range of more than 15 all-electric models, battery electric vehicles continue to gain traction, accounting for 26.9% of the BMW brand’s UK sales in 2024, while battery electric and plug-in hybrids together made up nearly a quarter of BMW Group global sales in the same period.

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

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LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
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About UK National Parks

The UK is home to fifteen National Parks, with ten located in England, three in Wales, and two in Scotland. Combined they span almost 10% of land and are more than just protected landscapes; they are living, working environments where people and nature can thrive together.

Each National Park is managed by an Authority, an independent body funded by the central government and other sources. These authorities do not own all of the land within the National Park but are tasked with conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage of these areas. They promote opportunities for the public to experience and understand the unique qualities of National Parks while fostering the economic and social wellbeing of local communities.

2024 marked the 75th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, which laid the foundation for the creation of these protected spaces. Today, National Parks continue to play a vital role and are committed to leading a transition toward a fairer, greener, and healthier future. By embracing large-scale nature-based solutions to create natural resilience, our National Parks continue to inspire, sustain, and benefit generations to come.

National Parks are open for everyone to explore, with more than 104 million visits each year, offering a chance to connect with nature and experience the beauty of the outdoors.

For more information, visit www.nationalparks.uk.
 

National Parks Partnerships (NPP)

Working across all fifteen National Parks in the UK (Peak District, Lake District, Eryri, Dartmoor, Pembrokeshire Coast, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Exmoor, Northumberland, Bannau Brycheiniog, The Broads, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, Cairngorms, New Forest, South Downs), National Parks Partnerships (NPP) creates purpose-driven partnerships with the private sector and funders to help protect and improve National Parks for people, nature and climate. Since its inception in 2016, NPP has developed partnerships with some of the world’s biggest brands to support the UK’s National Parks including BMW UK, Santander UK and Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland. Working with global impact firm Palladium, NPP launched Revere: Investing in Nature to deploy green finance at an unprecedented scale in National Parks and has an in-house Nature-Based Solutions team that supports National Parks to do more for nature.

www.nationalparks.co.uk
Follow NPP on LinkedIn

For more information on National Parks Partnerships, please contact Bec Butler at bec.butler@nationalparks.co.uk.

For further information please contact:

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

In 2025, ultra-marathon sea swimmer Ross Edgley will attempt a historic first - swimming over 1,000 miles (1,610 km) around Iceland’s entire coastline while conducting crucial ocean conservation research.

Commencing 16 May, this record-breaking expedition will push the limits of human performance, innovation, and sustainability. Driven by a bold commitment to sustainability, Edgley is dedicated to minimising his environmental impact at every stroke - harnessing innovative sustainable practices, renewable energy and cutting-edge technology to reduce carbon emissions.

Just as Edgley’s challenge in the water demands unwavering resilience in one of the most extreme environments on Earth, BMW’s all-electric land support brings class-leading range, efficiency and performance.



Renowned for its 20 metre waves, 260 km/h gusts of wind, and storms of snow, sand and volcanic ash, Iceland presents an unforgiving test of endurance. To succeed, Edgley must swim over 30 km per day in freezing waters, navigate treacherous conditions, and share the ocean with killer whales - all while contributing to vital ocean environmental and conservation research.

To put that into perspective, it’s like swimming the English Channel every single day, in water temperatures as low as 1°C (33.8°F). No stranger to ambitious swims, Edgley became the first - and so far, only - person to swim 1,780 miles around Great Britain (2018). More recently, in 2024, he completed the world’s longest non-stop river swim, covering 510 km down Canada’s Yukon River. But this challenge around Iceland will be unlike anything he has faced before.

More than just a world-first endurance feat, this expedition is also a pioneering citizen science study. It will see Ross collect water samples in a unique collaboration between leading researchers from the University of Iceland and the University of Victoria (Canada), supported by Future Oceans International to analyse and map microplastic distribution in the waters around Iceland. He will also team up with the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute of Iceland and #BioProtect as part of an ambitious international EU project to map biodiversity and identify what marine creatures are present in Iceland’s water through daily eDNA¹ samples. All Humpback whales and Orcas sighted during the trip will also be photographed for a unique study tracking cetacean movements and numbers around Iceland.

Speaking about the expedition, Edgley said, “Iceland has an amazing history of sailing and adventure. I grew up with my grandad telling me stories of great explorers navigating every fjord, bay, and beach for the first time in the late 9th century. Now I’m a little older, I would love to follow in their footsteps, but since I’m not much of a sailor, swimming around it seemed like the next logical choice.”

He adds: “But in all seriousness, Iceland is one of nature’s great masterpieces, and swimming around it represents a unique opportunity to fuse sport, adventure, and science. We’re working with some incredible researchers from the University of Iceland and the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute to conduct pioneering research that will help preserve and protect our oceans.”

The entire expedition, expected to take around three months, is supported by lead sponsors BMW and Gym King. The new all-electric BMW iX will serve as the challenge’s support vehicle. With the highest electric range in its class - up to 426 miles (WLTP²) - and all-wheel drive capability, it is well suited to the demands of Iceland’s climate. EV-specific features such as pre-conditioning will allow the vehicle to warm the cabin and clear ice from the glass ahead of early starts and late finishes. Alongside transporting crew members and essential provisions, it will also support researchers by collecting scientific samples during the journey.

Gym King, a brand built on the foundation of resilience and self-belief, is committed to empowering individuals to push their limits and achieve the extraordinary. As a leading force in athleisure and performance wear, Gym King aligns perfectly with the ethos of Edgley’s challenge, championing mental and physical endurance. Just as Edgley pushes his body and mind to the limit with each swim, Gym King’s presence reinforces the importance of resilience, ensuring the team stays focused and driven in the face of extreme conditions.

Edgley’s Icelandic challenge is also being supported by SKIRR Adventures - an adventure travel brand with extensive experience in these waters, running yearly sailing expeditions to the Arctic Circle. A 68-foot SKIRR Adventures yacht will serve as Ross’ base, with its team of sailors navigating around Iceland as Ross swims. The yacht will be where Ross rests and recovers between swimming shifts, while its skipper closely monitors tides, ice flow, and weather conditions to ensure Ross is prepared for the challenges ahead.

Colette Healy, Marketing Director at BMW UK, said, “This challenge is an extraordinary test of endurance and determination - qualities that resonate deeply with us at BMW. We’re proud to support Ross as he takes on this remarkable feat and pushes the limits of what’s possible. The BMW iX is built for efficiency and performance in the toughest conditions, making it the perfect companion for such an ambitious expedition.”

Jay Parker, CEO of Gym King, adds: “Ross’s journey is the perfect embodiment of our ‘Nothing Beats Belief’ mantra. His unrelenting drive, mental fortitude, and commitment to pushing boundaries make him a true inspiration. We’re proud to support him on his journey, standing for resilience and self-belief every step of the way."

SKIRR founder, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, knows an awful lot about endurance challenges – being the first person to ever sail solo and non-stop around the world. He also first took an expedition to Iceland in 1998. Says Sir Robin on Ross’ upcoming record attempt:

“We sail on inhospitable waters around the world with the Clipper Race and SKIRR runs yearly expeditions to Iceland. Just sailing there, the conditions are harsh enough. So for Ross to be swimming in ice-cold seas, just shy of the Arctic Circle, day in day out, this really will be the ultimate challenge.

“The SKIRR Adventures team is ready to support Ross with both his expedition and the ocean research being carried out as he swims.”

Christophe Pampoulie, Research Director of the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute of Iceland: “Collaborating with Ross during his adventure is a unique opportunity for Icelandic scientists and for the BioProtect EU mission project to promote citizen science and the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) citizen samplers.

“Coastal areas are rarely studied in Iceland due to the lack of small research boats, and the collection of environmental DNA by Ross and his team will drastically improve our knowledge on species distribution and biodiversity..”

To learn more about The Great Icelandic Swim and follow Ross on his journey, visit BMW.co.uk.

Ends

1. Every living thing shed’s its DNA leaving a footprint in the water. eDNA is DNA that organisms shed in their habitat, which scientists can collect, amplify and use for the identification of species living there. The collection of DNA for this project will go on to support tailored management actions for the conservation of marine life in our waters.
2. Up to 426 miles of range achievable for the BMW iX xDrive60 M Sport as part of the WLTP test cycle.

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
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For further information please contact:

Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371 705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

• The UK’s first “motionless” wind energy system has been installed on the roof of BMW Group’s Oxford Plant.
• It’s part of a BMW Group project trialling innovative technology for efficient energy solutions.
• This BMW Group Real Estate pilot is spearheaded by BMW Startup Garage, a programme dedicated to supporting early-stage startups working on innovative technologies.

BMW Group today announced the installation of the UK’s first “motionless” wind energy system at the MINI manufacturing plant in Oxford. Utilising Aeromine Technologies’ innovative, low-impact technology, the system harnesses wind power to produce clean energy without visible moving parts. BMW Group’s Oxford Plant will serve as a testbed for this cutting-edge technology, assessing its potential to enhance energy efficiency across BMW Group sites around the world, as well as commercial buildings in the UK.

This new innovative energy project is part of the BMW Startup Garage, a business unit dedicated to supporting early-stage startups working on cutting-edge technologies. It focuses on testing a functional product, at least in the form of a prototype, during a pilot project and commissioning the startup as a supplier at an early stage. Rather than acting as an investor through venture capital, the BMW Startup Garage is taking on the role of a customer, a “venture client”.

Aeromine Technologies has designed the wind energy unit, which is installed on the edge of a building, oriented towards the prevailing wind. The unit features wing-like vertical airfoils that create a vacuum effect, drawing air behind an internal propeller to generate clean electricity. Unlike traditional wind turbines, Aeromine’s bladeless design minimises noise and vibrations, ensuring no disturbance to buildings or the surrounding environment and with minimal impact on avian wildlife. Additionally, the unit is constructed from highly durable, recyclable materials, helping support BMW Group’s commitment to put sustainability at the centre of its strategic direction.

Carmen Gargioni, Team Lead Innovation at BMW Group Real Estate Management, said: “BMW Group is always looking for innovative and efficient solutions in every aspect of the business. The BMW Startup Garage acts as a matchmaker between startups and different business units. New technologies are essential as we strive to find the most efficient solution to our requirements. This includes exciting innovations from new players.”

The new wind energy unit is designed to complement MINI Plant Oxford’s existing solar arrays across the buildings on site. The installation on the Body Shop has been in place for ten years and, when it was installed, was one of the largest roof-mounted solar farms in the UK with more than 11,000 panels covering an area the size of five football pitches. The solar panels generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 850 households for a year. However, the solar panels are less effective during winter and evening hours, when wind conditions are often strongest – presenting an opportunity for Aeromine’s wind energy unit to step in and continue generating renewable energy.

Urs Sambale, Project Manager for Sustainability Steering at BMW Group Real Estate Europe, said: “This pilot is a small but exciting project for BMW Group and complements our existing approach to purchasing renewable electricity from the national grid. We’re looking forward to seeing its potential for generating clean wind energy at BMW Group sites.”

Claus Lønborg, Managing Director, Aeromine Technologies Inc., said: “Aeromine’s partnership with BMW Group represents a pivotal step in our mission to innovate and expand the capabilities of renewable energy solutions. Our “motionless” wind energy technology is designed to work seamlessly alongside solar systems, maximising the renewable energy output from rooftops while helping address challenges like noise, vibrations, and wildlife impact. We’re excited to see how this initial installation can lead to broader applications across BMW’s global facilities.”

The BMW Group has set itself clear targets for CO2 reduction up to 2030 throughout the entire lifecycle - from the supply chain, through production, to the end of the use phase - and is constantly seeking new ways to cut emissions including by exploring new innovations.


ENDS


NOTES TO EDITORS

The BMW Startup Garage 
The BMW Startup Garage is the venture client unit of the BMW Group. It engages annually with over 1,000 startups across approximately 30 countries, seeking innovations that provide significant benefits to BMW Group's products, services, systems, and processes. This ensures early access to innovations, allowing BMW to shape them before they reach market readiness. Simultaneously, startups gain valuable insights into automotive processes, build networks within the company, and receive support in developing their business plans. The program aims to evaluate startups and enable them as long-term partners for the BMW Group, thereby strengthening the company's leadership in innovation. The Startup Garage is represented worldwide at all BMW Tech Office locations: Munich, Mountain View, Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo, and since 2020, Tel Aviv.


About the BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to €155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

For more information visit www.bmwgroup.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
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YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/


About Aeromine Technologies
Aeromine Technologies has developed a breakthrough scalable renewable energy solution that harnesses the power of wind in an efficient system. Aeromine units install on the edge of the building roof, they are “motionless”, vibration- and noise- less. System installations are typically 50 kW or larger. The solution is robust, long-lasting, and requires much less rooftop space than other options to generate distributed energy. Ideal for large, flat rooftop buildings – including warehouses, big box retailers, data centers, office, and apartment buildings - Aeromine leverages existing financial structures, installation resources and incentives established by the solar industry.

www.aerominetechnologies.com      Video: Drone footage DJI_0138.MP4


****

For further information please contact:
For more information, please contact Olivia Martins, Nicole Sigrist, and Joel Del Gesso at bmw@forster.co.uk, or by calling Olivia at 07710 986 406 or Nicole at 07849 462 998.

Kimberley Ragousis
Corporate Communications Manager
Tel: 07815 374418
Email: Kimberley.Ragousis@bmwgroup.co.uk

The New Forest National Park Authority and BMW UK celebrate a milestone in its partnership today, as a new twin electric vehicle (EV) charging point officially goes live in the National Park. As well as enhancing the EV charging network, the pair’s collaboration will also see BMW fund the appointment of two apprentice rangers and support around 80 young people to better connect with nature and feel inspired to protect it.

To increase the availability of public EV charging options for both local people and visitors, the new twin charging point has been installed in the Jubilee Field Car Park in Sway, one of the New Forest’s most central locations. It means that more EV drivers can enjoy the unique beauty of the National Park’s ancient woodlands, wild heathlands and beautiful coastlines.

The installation is the latest win for the Recharge in Nature Project, which will see EV charge points installed across all 15 UK National Parks – from the Cairngorms in the Scottish Highlands down to Dartmoor in England’s South-West. By the end of the three-year partnership in 2025, there will be a total of 135 charge points thanks to the partnership.

Currently, the UK’s National Parks are visited over 100 million times each year^[1] – with 93% of these visits made by car^[2]. Enhancing the National Parks’ EV recharging network is consequently vital to enabling better access to the UK’s most precious wild landscapes for the lowest emitting and quietest drives.

BMW UK Corporate Communications Director, Graham Biggs, says:
“We are proud to be leading the charge towards more sustainable tourism in the New Forest, one of the UK’s most beloved landscapes and home to the famous free-roaming ponies. With EVs now accounting for over 18 per cent^[3] of the UK’s new car sales and demand for them growing strongly, a fully-fledged EV charging infrastructure is essential to helping to decarbonise travel and tourism in and around the nation’s celebrated beauty spots. Our Recharge in Nature partnership with the UK National Parks is about adding to the spread of rural EV chargers to reduce driving emissions – as well as noise and air pollution.”

As well as helping enhance the rural charging network, BMW UK’s support of Recharge in Nature is funding nature and community impact projects in every National Park. In the New Forest, this includes the funding of two apprentice rangers, who will gain practical experience and develop skills in environmental conservation. The two rangers spent their first six weeks training in first aid and the operation of chainsaws, brush cutters and strimmers. Currently, they are spending time with each of the different local ranger teams to learn about their essential work – with the chance to join the New Forest's Early Green Careers Network for additional mentoring.

BMW UK is also supporting the New Forest National Park’s Youth Action Programme by funding three-month nature conservation projects for up to 10 young people at a time aged between 11 and 30 years. The aim of the programme is to connect these local young people more deeply with nature and inspire them to help protect it. The programme will feature a mix of nature protection volunteering, walks, educational talks, cycling, mindfulness exercises, training in bushcraft skills and discussions about supporting nature and combating the climate crisis in daily life.

Chair of the New Forest National Park Authority, David Bence, says:
“We’re really excited about our new EV twin charge point. The New Forest is a world capital for wildlife with many rare habitats and species and we’re already seeing the impacts of climate change. We must do everything we can to protect the New Forest for future generations – and that includes encouraging the people who call our wonderful National Park home and the millions of visitors each year, to embrace lower emission journey options.

“We’re also thrilled that this partnership with BMW UK means investment in the local community through two new ranger apprentices and a programme to connect young people more deeply with the New Forest’s ancient landscapes. After all, young people are the future of conservation, but they won’t protect what they don’t know and love.”

The BMW Group has set clear CO2 reduction targets across the lifecycle of every vehicle and is constantly seeking new ways to cut emissions. By 2030, the CO2 emissions per vehicle will be at least halved from 2019 levels. BMW Group was one of the first automotive brands to join the Business Ambition for 1.5°C as part of the Paris Climate Agreement - the most robust commitment to the goal of full climate neutrality, over the entire value chain, by 2050 at the latest. By doing so, the company is also part of the Race to Zero.

For more information about BMW Group UK and the Recharge in Nature partnership, please visit bmw.co.uk/nationalparks

Ends

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

www.bmwgroup.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

About UK National Parks

There are 15 National Parks in the UK – 10 in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland. 

• National Parks cover almost 10 percent of England, 20 percent of Wales and 8 percent of Scotland.  
• Each National Park is administered by its own authority, but that authority does not own all of the land within the Park. They are independent bodies funded by central government to:  
  • Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage. 
  • Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of National Parks by the public. 
• In carrying out these aims, National Park Authorities are also required to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park. 
• National Parks are free to enter and explore and have 104 million visits each year. 
• For more information visit www.nationalparks.uk 

National Parks Partnerships (NPP)
Working across all 15 National Parks in the UK (Peak District, Lake District, Eryri, Dartmoor, Pembrokeshire Coast, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Exmoor, Northumberland, Bannau Brycheiniog, The Broads, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, Cairngorms, New Forest, South Downs), National Parks Partnerships (NPP) creates purpose-driven partnerships with the private sector and funders to help protect and improve National Parks for people, nature and climate. Since its inception in 2016, NPP has developed partnerships with some of the world’s biggest brands to support the UK’s National Parks including BMW UK, Santander UK and Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland. Working with global impact firm Palladium, NPP launched Revere: Investing in Nature to deploy green finance at an unprecedented scale in National Parks and has an in-house Nature-Based Solutions team that supports National Parks to do more for nature.

Find out more at: www.nationalparks.uk/national-parks-partnerships/ or follow "National Parks Partnerships" on LinkedIn.

• A year and a half in, BMW UK and UK National Parks are celebrating the progress their Recharge in Nature partnership is driving for people and planet
• 78 new electric vehicle (EV) charge points have now been installed across seven of the UK’s 15 National Parks
• Projects supported by the Recharge in Nature project have boosted wellbeing and nature restoration in Dartmoor, Eryri (Snowdonia), South Downs and North York Moors National Parks, with further projects planned for this year at other National Parks

BMW and UK National Parks are celebrating the progress achieved to date by its Recharge in Nature partnership, revealing the project’s impacts for the electric vehicle (EV) charging network, nature restoration and wellbeing.

The Recharge in Nature Project will see BMW UK invest a total of around £1 million in biodiversity and community projects, as well as putting all 15 of the UK’s National Parks firmly on the EV map by installing 135 new charging points, with a further investment of around £1 million.

Already 18 months into the partnership, 78 new electric vehicle charge points have been installed in the Lake District, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, Dartmoor, and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. BMW is working closely with UK National Parks to ensure that these charging points bring as much benefit as possible to locals and visitors by being placed in high traffic areas or areas where infrastructure is lacking. So far, the newly installed charging points have saved over 42 tonnes[1] of CO2, according to Pod Point data, comparing the electric driving they have enabled to equivalent petrol or diesel miles¹.

The nature restoration and community impact projects are suggested and delivered by the National Parks, ensuring BMW’s support is going exactly where it’s needed most. For example, in the South Downs National Park, visitors could be more likely to spot frogs, toads, dragonflies and hedgehogs this year, thanks to the project’s work to restore 10 vital dew ponds. Due to hotter, drier summers, 70 per cent of South Downs National Park’s ponds were in a poor condition or had disappeared completely.

In Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), beautiful Llyn Tegid – the largest natural freshwater lake in Wales – is now better protected against pollution. Through engagement with local farmers, Recharge in Nature has supported a range of natural flood management initiatives including creating three new dew ponds and eight leaky dams, and planting over 20,000 new trees. These measures help reduce the speed of rainwater run-off and so lower the amount of phosphates leaching into the lake, which would damage its delicate ecosystem and encourage the growth of algae. This will help Llyn Tegid stay healthy for recreation and tourism, and for precious wildlife like the glutinous snail - a tiny creature that’s only found here.

Young people have been at the heart of a project funded in the North York Moors National Park, where they have improved their wellbeing, employability and potential to become tomorrow’s conservationists through 3,000 hours of volunteering. In addition, funding for a new Youth Engagement Ranger in Dartmoor National Park has helped give 1,329 young people, many of whom might otherwise not have opportunities to visit the Park, a chance to experience and explore the great outdoors.

More creative initiatives lie ahead this year. The seeds of a temperate rainforest will be sprouting in Exmoor National Park to support nature recovery, carbon capture, water systems, soil and wildlife. Building on successful work piloted by local NHS Trusts, more people will have a chance to experience the wellbeing benefits of nature in the Peak District National Park through the ‘Peaks of Health’ project. It will work alongside community-based health and wellbeing organisations to help combat barriers to accessing the countryside including lack of transport, social isolation, older age or physical and mental health challenges. Meanwhile a project in the New Forest National Park is engaging local young people in nature, encouraging them to be future custodians of the Park.

Access and more sustainable travel are the focus of two further Recharge in Nature projects. In Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, volunteers and visitors will have a new wheelchair accessible electric bus service. In Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, visitors and residents will find it easier to access some of the area’s most scenic locations this summer thanks to a new shuttle bus service stopping through busy visitor locations seven days a week, up to eight times a day. The service will support more people to travel by public transport and mean less congestion at the Park.

Finally, in Northumberland National Park, local communities and visitors will be able to take part in activities that highlight the Park’s aims of conserving and enhancing nature and taking climate action, as two new Nature Rangers are appointed thanks to Recharge in Nature funding.

Guy Griffiths, one of the recently onboarded Nature Rangers at Northumberland National Park, said: “The BMW Recharge in Nature funding has opened up a fantastic opportunity for the other new ranger and I, as we embark on a career in the environment sector with National Parks. The Nature Ranger roles provide excellent experience in connecting people with nature and a wealth of training and development opportunities which give us real hands-on experience. Our aim is to protect Northumberland National Park and create a welcoming Park for everyone visiting this summer.”

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park volunteers and visitors will have a new wheelchair accessible electric bus service, with another bus service being planned for Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Finally for this year, a project in the New Forest National Park will support local young people to discover, understand and act in ways that will make a positive difference to the future of the landscape.

Graham Biggs, Corporate Communications Director, BMW UK, said: “It’s a pleasure to reflect on Recharge in Nature’s successes so far and to celebrate the tangible impacts of this partnership. In the months ahead we are looking forward to our continued investment in driving more locally delivered biodiversity and community projects, across more of the Parks. At the same time, it’s great to see the continued growth of the recharging network in the Parks, which are vital to help both local residents and visitors to travel by EV and so cut driving emissions, noise and air pollution in these precious places.”

Naomi Conway, Director, National Parks Partnerships, said: “We’re so pleased our National Parks are becoming increasingly accessible by EV and vital projects to restore nature and biodiversity are able to go further, faster with the investment from BMW UK. It’s also incredibly inspiring how Recharge in Nature is giving more people the chance to actively connect with nature through the National Parks, including young people who will be our planet’s future custodians.”

For more information about the Recharge in Nature partnership visit bmw.co.uk/nationalparks .


[1] Pod Point data – see Notes to Editors for details*



ENDS


NOTES TO EDITORS

*Emissions avoided thanks to charge points – Pod Point data methodology: 
To date 42,579.69kg of CO2 emissions have been avoided thanks to the Recharge in Nature charge points enabling electric driving miles, compared to the equivalent number of miles in a petrol or diesel car (‘tailpipe’ emissions). The difference between electric miles driven and petrol or diesel is how Pod Point calculates the carbon ‘avoided’ or ‘saved’.

To extract this figure, Pod Point first calculates the number of ‘electric’ miles enabled through BMW UK-funded EV chargers. This is worked out using the kWh transferred through the network divided by an average electric car kWh per mile for the top 10 most sold cars over the last two years - currently at 0.299 kWh per mile[2].

To determine the total carbon emitted from the electric driving, Pod Point looks at National Grid’s conversion factor for electricity[3] , then multiplies it by the miles driven to get to the total carbon emitted. (Please note: The intensity figure used only considers electricity utilised by the end-user and its corresponding CO2 emissions, and not any lost in its generation or transmission.)

To calculate the equivalent petrol miles for comparison, Pod Point takes the total number of electric driving miles enabled by the Recharge in Nature charge points and multiplies this by the conversion factor for ‘petrol fuel for the average car’[4] . All conversion factors are provided by the UK Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

[2] Calculated by Pod Point based on the top 10 most sold cars over the last two years (https://www.smmt.co.uk/vehicle-data/car-registrations) using the total kWh per mile for these cars (https://www.ev-database.org) divided by 10 to get the average.
[3] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-conversion-factors-2023 See: Conversion Factors 2023: Full Set (for Advance Users) – updated 28 June 2023 TAB UK Electricity
[4] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-conversion-factors-2023 See: Conversion factors 2023: Full set (for Advanced Users) - updated 28 June 2023 TAB Passenger Vehicles



Additional spokesperson quotes: 
Margaret Anderson, Senior Ranger at Northumberland National Park, said: “The BMW Nature Ranger roles in Northumberland have opened up entry-level green pathways to employment with Northumberland National Park, kick-starting what we hope will be life-long careers in the environment sector for Guy and Lucy. Working closely with the National Park Ranger team and our specialist officers, the Nature Rangers will help people to learn more about wildlife and conservation and will provide a first-class visitor welcome during the busy summer season. They will also carry out practical conservation tasks such as tree planting, peatland restoration, access improvements and species surveys, contributing to important nature recovery projects on a landscape scale.”

Heather McNiff, Head of Outdoor Learning and Engagement at the North York Moors National Park, said: “Historically we have lots of very young volunteers, as well as people aged over 40, but we’ve struggled to engage individuals that fall between those age brackets. Thanks to BMW UK’s funding, we’re able to support ‘Youth+’, which provides more opportunities for those aged 16 and over to engage with volunteering in the National Park. We’re passionate that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and so BMW’s funding also supports young people who have experienced deprivation or live with disabilities to access the National Park and its volunteering programmes.”


About Recharge in Nature
The Recharge in Nature partnership aligns with BMW Group’s decarbonisation objectives. BMW is part of the Business Ambition for 1.5 degrees, working towards climate neutrality over its entire supply chain by 2050, and part of UN Race to Zero.

By 2030, BMW will cut CO2 emissions by 40% for the lifecycle of each vehicle it produces. Through Recharge in Nature the company is supporting more sustainable transport solutions, and reduced driving emissions, noise and air pollution for the Parks.

The partnership also aligns with National Park’s Net Zero With Nature, which is the collective approach of the Parks to fight climate change and the biodiversity crisis.

The BMW Group 
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.


www.bmwgroup.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/


About National Parks UK

• There are 15 National Parks in the UK, spanning the length and breadth of the country: 10 in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland.
• National Parks cover almost 10 percent of England, 20 percent of Wales and 8 percent of Scotland.
• Each National Park is administered by its own authority, but that authority does not own all of the land within the Park. They are independent bodies funded by the UK’s central and devolved governments to:
  • Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.
  • Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of National Parks by the public.
• In carrying out these aims, National Park Authorities are also required to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park.
• National Parks are free to enter and explore and have over 100 million visits each year.
• For more information visit www.nationalparks.uk

National Parks Partnerships (NPP)  
Working across all 15 National Parks in the UK (Peak District, Lake District, Eryri, Dartmoor, Pembrokeshire Coast, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Exmoor, Northumberland, Bannau Brycheiniog, The Broads, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, Cairngorms, New Forest, South Downs), National Parks Partnerships (NPP) creates purpose-driven partnerships with the private sector and funders to help protect and improve National Parks for people, nature and climate. Since its inception in 2016, NPP has developed partnerships with some of the world’s biggest brands to support the UK’s National Parks including BMW UK, Santander UK and Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland. Working with global impact firm Palladium, NPP launched Revere: Investing in Nature to deploy green finance at an unprecedented scale in National Parks and has an in-house Nature-Based Solutions team that supports National Parks to do more for nature. Find out more at: nationalparks.uk/national-parks-partnerships or follow "National Parks Partnerships" on LinkedIn.

****

For further information please contact:

Kimberley Ragousis
Corporate Communications Manager
Tel: 07815 374418
Email: Kimberley.Ragousis@bmwgroup.co.uk

Forster Communications: Olivia Martins, Nicole Sigrist and Joel Del Gesso via bmw@forster.co.uk or by calling Nicole at 07849 462 998.

• The installation of 16 new electric vehicle (EV) charge-points at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, previously known as Brecon Beacons National Park, means visitors can confidently travel by EV
• The new EV chargers are funded by BMW UK as part of its Recharge in Nature partnership with UK National Parks
• Kevin Booker, holder of four Guinness World Records for efficient EV driving and optimised charging, led the EV installation project at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park as part of his role working for the National Park

Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park is paving the way for increasingly sustainable travel in Wales’ countryside, with the installation of 16 new electric vehicle (EV) charge-points - funded by BMW UK through its   Recharge in Nature partnership with UK National Parks. In addition to enhancing the UK’s EV charging infrastructure, the partnership also sees the two organisations collaborate on nature restoration and community impact projects.

The new charge-points, which are now live, are split evenly between Bannau Brycheiniog National Park’s Visitor Centre in Libanus and Craig-y-Nos Country Park. The installation means EV drivers can now top up their batteries while enjoying the mountains, rivers, dark skies and wildlife of this beautiful National Park. 

This latest installation of charge-points is the most recent milestone for the Recharge in Nature project - an initiative funded by BMW UK and facilitated by National Parks Partnerships acting on behalf of UK National Parks, to make EV chargers available across all 15 of the UK’s National Parks. The extra charging capacity supports the use of EVs by those who live and work in the National Parks, improving access for the lowest emitting drives and quietest vehicles on the road. The new charge points in Bannau Brycheiniog come just one month after both of Yorkshire’s National Parks were able to install 18 new charge-points, thanks to the Recharge in Nature partnership.

Kevin Booker, IT Systems and Fleet Manager at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park said: “Over 4 million people ^[1] visit Bannau Brycheiniog National Park each year, and we know around 93 per cent of visits to UK National Parks are done so by car. It’s our responsibility to ensure the conservation of our beautiful Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and so we’re delighted to be able support zero emission car journeys while driving here.”

In addition to managing the EV installation project at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Kevin Booker is among the most successful ‘hypermilers’ in the UK. Hypermilers are individuals who exceed a vehicle’s efficiency, as declared by its manufacturer, through adjusting driving techniques. Booker has earned four Guinness World Record titles for his ability to optimise the range and charge of electric vehicles.

Graham Biggs, Corporate Communications Director, BMW UK, added: “We’re so pleased to see this latest expansion of the EV charging network go live as part of our Recharge in Nature partnership. This means EV drivers can explore this outstanding National Park with greater confidence and with no driving emissions. We hope this new infrastructure will support visitors, as well as those living and working at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.”

The BMW Group has set clear CO2 reduction targets across the lifecycle of every vehicle and is constantly seeking new ways to cut emissions. By 2030, the average CO2 emissions per vehicle will be at least halved from 2019 levels. BMW Group was one of the first automotive brands to join the Business Ambition for 1.5°C as part of the Paris Climate Agreement - the most robust commitment to the goal of full climate neutrality, over the entire value chain, by 2050 at the latest. By doing so, the company is also part of the Race to Zero.

Catherine Mealing-Jones, CEO of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and National Parks Partnerships Board Member, commented: “The Recharge in Nature project is a great example of how partnerships with businesses can help National Parks go further faster in meeting their sustainability ambitions. We’re so pleased at what has been achieved so far at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and look forward to seeing what the other UK National Parks will continue to accomplish with BMW’s support.”

For more information about BMW Group UK and the Recharge in Nature partnership visit bmw.co.uk/nationalparks.

^[1] https://bannau.wales/communities/tourism/


ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

The BMW Group 
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

www.bmwgroup.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/


About National Parks UK

• There are 15 National Parks in the UK – 10 in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland.
• National Parks cover almost 10 percent of England, 20 percent of Wales and 8 percent of Scotland. 
• Each National Park is administered by its own authority, but that authority does not own all of the land within the Park. They are independent bodies funded by central government to: 
  • Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.
  • Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of national parks by the public.
• In carrying out these aims, National Park Authorities are also required to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park.
• National Parks are free to enter and explore and have 104 million visits each year.
• For more information visit www.nationalparks.uk

National Parks Partnerships (NPP) 
Working across all 15 National Parks in the UK (Peak District, Lake District, Eryri, Dartmoor, Pembrokeshire Coast, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Exmoor, Northumberland, Bannau Brycheiniog, The Broads, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, Cairngorms, New Forest, South Downs), National Parks Partnerships (NPP) creates purpose-driven partnerships with the private sector and funders to help protect and improve National Parks for people, nature and climate. Since its inception in 2016, NPP has developed partnerships with some of the world’s biggest brands to support the UK’s National Parks including BMW UK, Santander UK and Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland. Working with global impact firm Palladium, NPP launched Revere: Investing in Nature to deploy green finance at an unprecedented scale in National Parks and has an in-house Nature-Based Solutions team that supports National Parks to do more for nature. Find out more at: nationalparks.uk/national-parks-partnerships or follow "National Parks Partnerships" on LinkedIn.

****

For further information please contact:

Kimberley Ragousis
Corporate Communications Manager
Tel: 07815 374418
Email: Kimberley.Ragousis@bmwgroup.co.uk

Forster Communications: Olivia Martins, Nicole Sigrist and Joel Del Gesso via bmw@forster.co.uk or calling 07710 986 406.

• 18 new electric vehicle charger-points have been installed across Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks to support zero emission car journeys whilst driving
• New EV chargers are funded by BMW UK as part of its Recharge in Nature partnership with National Parks UK
• Through this partnership, BMW UK is also supporting North York Moors National Park to develop outdoor volunteering programmes for families and young adults
  
  

Yorkshire’s National Parks (Yorkshire Dales National Park and North York Moors National Park) have announced that 18 new electric vehicle (EV) charging points are now live, funded by BMW UK through its Recharge in Nature partnership with National Parks UK.

This enhancement of the EV network in Yorkshire is the next important milestone in the Recharge in Nature partnership, which will install EV chargers across all 15 of the UK’s National Parks by the end of 2025. The three-year initiative will support the use of electric cars both for visitors and also for those who live and work in the National Parks – and so help to reduce both emissions and noise pollution in these precious landscapes.

Twelve of the new EV charge-points have been installed in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, at the Malham National Park Visitor Centre; the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes; and Grassington National Park Visitor Centre. Meanwhile in the North York Moors, six chargers can be found at Sutton Bank National Park Centre, with an additional six chargers set to be installed at Danby Lodge National Park Centre.

Neil Heseltine, Chair of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and National Parks Partnerships’ Board Member, commented: “The Yorkshire Dales National Park alone welcomed 5.1 million visitors in 2022. We’re so pleased that our partnership with BMW UK will support those who are travelling to Yorkshire’s National Parks in EVs, to do so with more confidence. Part of our responsibility as National Parks is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of our Parks ^[1]and this includes facilitating more sustainable journeys to Yorkshire’s National Parks.” 

The UK has nearly 54,000 public charging points but one third of these are currently in London. ^[2] With 93 million visits ^[3] to the UK’s National Parks made by car each year, this enhancement of the network throughout National Parks, supported by BMW, means more travel options for those choosing to drive.

Graham Biggs, Corporate Communications Director, BMW UK, said: “The UK’s EV infrastructure rollout is continuing at pace and we need to see this accelerate to reach at least 300,000 charge-points by 2030. It’s important that the distribution of these chargers is spread right across the UK and we need to ensure that our countryside is brought up to speed with the bigger cities. Access to nature for everybody is so important and we’re pleased to be supporting the Recharge in Nature partnership to enable and encourage this through EV infrastructure, bus services and community engagement programmes.” 

Alongside the installation of EV chargers throughout all National Parks, the Recharge in Nature partnership is also supporting community impact and nature restoration projects unique to the individual National Parks. The North York Moors National Park is using BMW funding to support outdoor volunteering programmes for families and young adults. The goal is to boost the physical and mental wellbeing of those volunteering and establish a community of committed conservationists. An important aspect of this is also ensuring young people have a say in the National Park’s decision-making processes.

Heather McNiff, Head of Outdoor Learning and Engagement at the North York Moors National Park, said: “Historically we have lots of very young volunteers, as well as people aged over 40, but we’ve struggled to engage individuals that fall between those age brackets. Thanks to BMW UK’s funding we’re able to support ‘Youth Plus’, which provides more opportunities for those aged 16 and over to engage with volunteering in the National Park. We’re passionate that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and so BMW’s funding also supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds or those with additional accessibility requirements to access the National Park and its volunteering programmes.”

The BMW Group has set clear CO2 reduction targets across the lifecycle of every vehicle and is constantly seeking new ways to cut emissions. By 2030, the average CO2 emissions per vehicle will be at least halved from 2019 levels. BMW Group was one of the first automotive brands to join the Business Ambition for 1.5°C as part of the Paris Climate Agreement - the most robust commitment to the goal of full climate neutrality, over the entire value chain, by 2050 at the latest. By doing so, the company is also part of the Race to Zero.

For more information about BMW Group UK and the Recharge in Nature partnership visit bmw.co.uk/nationalparks .


_{[1]https://www.cnp.org.uk/national-park-faqs#:~:text=What%20are%20the%20purposes%20of,special%20qualities%20of%20the%20Parks
[2]https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-67873890
[3] STEAM tourism data, 2019 & Aggregated National Parks data, 2018}

ENDS


NOTES TO EDITORS 


The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

www.bmwgroup.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/


About National Parks UK

• There are 15 National Parks in the UK – 10 in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland.
• National Parks cover almost 10 percent of England, 20 percent of Wales and 8 percent of Scotland.
• Each National Park is administered by its own authority, but that authority does not own all of the land within the National Park.
• They are independent bodies funded by central government to:
  - Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.
  - Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of National Parks by the public.
• In carrying out these aims, National Park Authorities are also required to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park.
• National Parks are free to enter and explore and have 104 million visits each year.
• For more information visit www.nationalparks.uk

National Parks Partnerships (NPP) 
Working across all 15 National Parks in the UK (Peak District, Lake District, Eryri, Dartmoor, Pembrokeshire Coast, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Exmoor, Northumberland, Bannau Brycheiniog, The Broads, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, Cairngorms, New Forest, South Downs), National Parks Partnerships (NPP) creates purpose-driven partnerships with the private sector and funders to help protect and improve National Parks for people, nature and climate. Since its inception in 2016, NPP has developed partnerships with some of the world’s biggest brands to support the UK’s National Parks including BMW UK, Santander UK and Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland. Working with global impact firm Palladium, NPP launched Revere: Investing in Nature to deploy green finance at an unprecedented scale in National Parks and has an in-house Nature-Based Solutions team that supports National Parks to do more for nature. Find out more at: nationalparks.uk/national-parks-partnerships or follow "National Parks Partnerships" on LinkedIn. 

For Further information please contact: 

Kimberley Ragousis
Corporate Communications Manager
Tel: 07815 374418
Email: Kimberley.Ragousis@bmwgroup.co.uk 

Forster Communications: Nicole Sigrist and Joel Del Gesso via bmw@forster.co.uk or by calling 020 7403 2230. 

• The new EV chargers, located in some of the busiest sites across the National Park, will support zero emission journeys, while driving, for both tourists and the local community
• The new EV chargers were funded by BMW UK as part of its Recharge in Nature partnership with National Parks UK 
• Through the partnership, BMW UK is also funding the Peak District National Park’s ‘Peaks of Health’ initiative, from Spring 2024, which will support community-based health and wellbeing organisations to make the National Park a more accessible space to walk, cycle and enjoy

The Peak District National Park is charging forward enhancing its accessibility to electric vehicles (EVs), with today marking the completion of the installation of five new twin charging points, funded by BMW UK through its Recharge in Nature partnership with National Parks UK.

The new EV chargers are located at Millers Dale Station, Parsley Hay Bike Hire Centre & Car Park and the Moorland Visitor Centre at Edale. Millers Dale Station and Parsley Hay chargers will be available to the public, and those at Edale will serve guests of the Fieldhead Campsite at the Moorland Visitor Centre.

These are some of the busiest locations in the National Park, increasing the availability of EV charging options for both local communities and visitors. Each EV charging point can charge two cars simultaneously meaning that more EV drivers can travel with confidence to appreciate the Peak District’s picturesque views.

The Peak District’s ‘Peaks of Health’ project is also being supported by BMW UK from Spring 2024, enabling community-based health and wellbeing organisations to make the National Park a more accessible space to walk, cycle and enjoy. Its aim is to help combat barriers that prevent people from accessing the countryside around them, due to lack of transport, social isolation, a loss of confidence, older age, or physical and mental health challenges.

The installation of these new chargers is another step towards increasing the EV charging infrastructure throughout the UK’s National Parks - one of the goals of the Recharge in Nature partnership. To date, 36 chargers have been installed in National Parks across the UK, with chargers in all 15 of the National Parks set to be installed before the end of the three-year BMW partnership.

In total, the UK’s National Parks are visited over 100 million times each year ^[1] – with 93 per cent of these visits being made by car ^[2]. Enhancing the EV recharging network is vital to enabling better access for the lowest emitting and quietest vehicles.

Emily Fox, interim head of resources for the Peak District National Park Authority, said: “Being so close to the cities of Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham and Derby, the Peak District National Park is the most accessible of the UK’s National Parks ^[3] and we’re so pleased to be able to take this further through the Recharge in Nature partnership with BMW UK. The new EV chargers mean those who live and work in the Peak District, as well as the 13 million visitors we welcome every year, have lower emission travel options, helping protect our National Park now and for future generations. BMW UK’s support for ‘Peaks of Health’ also means we can increase its impact in making the Peak District accessible for everyone.”

Graham Biggs, Corporate Communications Director, BMW UK, commented: “The installation of these new EV chargers in the Peak District means visitors and those living or working in the National Park can now use their electric cars with greater confidence. By increasing the EV charging capacity of the area, it’s helping to reduce emissions and noise pollution in this beautiful landscape.”

Lisa Sensier, Senior Development Manager at National Parks Partnerships, said: “We're so pleased to see another National Park benefitting from our partnership with BMW. The Recharge in Nature project is set to have such a huge impact, enhancing EV infrastructure as the National Parks work towards net zero, and accelerating our ambitions to restore nature and enhance the wellbeing of visitors to the National Parks. Partnerships like this help us go further faster and we can’t wait to see the fruits of our collaboration over the next few years.”

The BMW Group has set clear CO2 reduction targets across the lifecycle of every vehicle and is constantly seeking new ways to cut emissions. By 2030, the CO2 emissions per vehicle will be at least halved from 2019 levels. BMW Group was one of the first automotive brands to join the Business Ambition for 1.5°C as part of the Paris Climate Agreement - the most robust commitment to the goal of full climate neutrality, over the entire value-added chain, by 2050 at the latest. By doing so, the company is also part of the Race to Zero.

For more information about BMW Group UK and the Recharge in Nature partnership visit bmw.co.uk/nationalparks.

^[1] STEAM tourism data, 2019
^[2] Aggregated National Parks data, 2018
^[3] https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/learning-about/news/70-years-of-the-peak-district-national-park/peak-district-facts

ENDS


NOTES TO EDITORS

The BMW Group 

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2022, the BMW Group sold nearly 2.4 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2022 was € 23.5 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.6 billion. As of 31 December 2022, the BMW Group had a workforce of 149,475 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

www.bmwgroup.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

About National Parks UK
- There are 15 National Parks in the UK; 10 in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland.
- National Parks cover almost 10 percent of England, 20 percent of Wales and 8 percent of Scotland. 
- Each National Park is administered by its own authority, but that authority does not own all of the land within the Park. They are independent bodies funded by central government to: 
    - Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.
    - Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of national parks by the public.
- In carrying out these aims, National Park Authorities are also required to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park.
- National Parks are free to enter and explore and have 104 million visits each year.
- For more information visit www.nationalparks.uk

National Parks Partnerships (NPP) 
Working across all 15 National Parks in the UK (Peak District, Lake District, Eryri, Dartmoor, Pembrokeshire Coast, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Exmoor, Northumberland, Bannau Brycheiniog, The Broads, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, Cairngorms, New Forest, South Downs), National Parks Partnerships (NPP) creates purpose-driven partnerships with the private sector and funders to help protect and improve National Parks for people, nature and climate. Since its inception in 2016, NPP has developed partnerships with some of the world’s biggest brands to support the UK’s National Parks including BMW UK, Santander UK and Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland. Working with global impact firm Palladium, NPP launched Revere: Investing in Nature to deploy green finance at an unprecedented scale in National Parks and has an in-house Nature-Based Solutions team that supports National Parks to do more for nature. Find out more at: nationalparks.uk/national-parks-partnerships or follow "National Parks Partnerships" on LinkedIn.

****

For further information please contact:

Kimberley Ragousis
Corporate Communications Manager
Tel: 07815 374418
Email: Kimberley.Ragousis@bmw.co.uk

Forster Communications: Olivia Martins, Nicole Sigrist and Joel Del Gesso
via bmw@forster.co.uk or calling 07710 986 406.

• Located in three key sites across the Park, the new EV chargers will support zero emission journeys for tourists and local communities
• The new EV chargers were funded by BMW UK as part of its Recharge in Nature partnership with National Parks UK  
• Through the partnership, BMW UK is also supporting its youth in nature programme, where Dartmoor National Park is working to nurture young people’s awareness and enjoyment of nature 

Dartmoor National Park, is leading the charge in more sustainable tourism with five new electric vehicle (EV) charging points going live, funded by BMW UK through its Recharge in Nature partnership with National Parks UK. The new chargers can each charge two cars simultaneously meaning that EV drivers can travel with more confidence to enjoy the beauty of Dartmoor. 

The five new twin chargers have been installed in three key locations, to increase the availability of public EV charging options for local communities and visitors alike. The chargers are in:

- Postbridge Visitor Centre Car Park
- Princetown Visitor Centre Car Park
- Meldon Reservoir Car Park

The installation of these chargers is also a significant step towards the goal of increasing the EV charging infrastructure in the UK National Parks through the Recharge in Nature partnership. To date, 33 chargers have been installed in National Parks across the UK, with chargers in all 15 of the National Parks set to be installed before the end of the three-year partnership.

In total, the UK’s National Parks are visited over 100 million times each year ^[1] – with 93 per cent of these visits being made by car ^[2]. Enhancing the EV recharging network is vital to enabling better access for the lowest emitting and quietest vehicles.

In Dartmoor National Park, additional funding from BMW UK is supporting its youth in nature environmental engagement programme to nurture young people's appreciation of nature. By providing them with access to the great outdoors, these sessions aim to inspire the conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts of the future. Through a diverse range of activities, such as overnight camping trips, and footpath restoration projects, young people are discovering the wonders of the natural world and the positive impacts it can have on their mental health and wellbeing. Since the funding began in 2022, the project has brought a taste of the great outdoors to 568 young people, many of whom might otherwise not have opportunities to visit the Park.

Andrew Watson, Head of Recreation, Access and Estates, commented: “Dartmoor National Park is home to 36,000 people, alongside the millions of visitors that come to enjoy the Park every year. Working with National Parks Partnerships, BMW and PodPoint to install these new electric charging points is about ensuring we can provide choice and encourage lower emission travel options. We’re delighted to have these new chargers so that we can enable visitors to charge their vehicles whist taking time to visit our National Park Visitor Centres, or explore the local area to experience all that Dartmoor National Park has to offer.”

Graham Biggs, Corporate Communications Director, BMW UK, said: “We're delighted that these new EV chargers have been installed in Dartmoor. It means visitors can now take their electric cars to the park with greater confidence, helping to reduce emissions and noise pollution in this beautiful landscape. It also increases the EV charging capacity of the area for those living or working in the park.

“In addition, it is a privilege to be supporting Dartmoor’s community-based programmes for young people, which aim to spark a love of nature amongst those who would otherwise have little opportunity to enjoy it.”

Savannah Brownlow, Community Engagement Ranger, observed: “The interest and uptake of the engagement project with schools and community groups has been fantastic, highlighting the desire from leaders in our communities to connect with Dartmoor and nature. Young people are keener to be involved in nature conservation than we realise and the difference this can make to their wider outlook is vast and something I’m proud to be able to support.”

The BMW Group has set clear CO2 reduction targets across the lifecycle of every vehicle and is constantly seeking new ways to cut emissions. By 2030, the CO2 emissions per vehicle will be at least halved from 2019 levels. BMW Group was one of the first automotive brands to join the Business Ambition for 1.5°C as part of the Paris Climate Agreement - the most robust commitment to the goal of full climate neutrality, over the entire value-added chain, by 2050 at the latest. By doing so, the company is also part of the Race to Zero.

For more information about BMW Group UK and the Recharge in Nature partnership visit bmw.co.uk/nationalparks  

 

ENDS


NOTES TO EDITORS 

The BMW Group 
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2022, the BMW Group sold nearly 2.4 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2022 was € 23.5 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.6 billion. As of 31 December 2022, the BMW Group had a workforce of 149,475 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

www.bmwgroup.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/


About National Parks UK
- There are 15 National Parks in the UK, 10 in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland.
- National Parks cover almost 10 percent of England, 20 percent of Wales and 8 percent of Scotland. 
- Each National Park is administered by its own authority, but that authority does not own all of the land within the Park. They are independent bodies funded by central government to: 
    > Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.
    > Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of national parks by the public.
- In carrying out these aims, National Park Authorities are also required to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park.
- National Parks are free to enter and explore and have 104 million visits each year.
- For more information visit www.nationalparks.uk

Ends

For further information please contact:

Kimberley Ragousis
Corporate Communications Manager
Tel: 07815 374418
Email: Kimberley.Ragousis@bmwgroup.co.uk

BMW UK is pleased to announce a new partnership with Wilderness Reserve, a collection of restored properties in rural Suffolk. From July, guests who book to stay at any of the 18 properties across the 8,000-acre estate at Wilderness Reserve will have the opportunity to experience a complimentary all-electric BMW to use at their leisure and throughout the duration of their stay.

Wilderness Reserve is fully committed to sustainability and low impact ways of travelling. Ahead of each stay, guests will have the opportunity to pre-book the spacious fully electric BMW iX or the sporty BMW i4 Gran Coupé, which can be used both on and off site, giving them the freedom to explore the grounds of the estate and surrounding Suffolk countryside.

Wilderness Reserve is an 8,000-acre estate comprising of woodland, lakes and rolling pasture, sprinkled with an eclectic collection of historic and traditional Suffolk properties. Lovingly restored by artisans, each home has a unique character. From the grand Grade II listed manor house and restored 15th century barn, to charming, thatched cottages and romantic retreats, Wilderness Reserve is a long-term conservation and restoration project - protecting English nature and breathing new life into historic properties.  The reserve has created over 40 unique activities for guests to enjoy that truly make the most of their open space, lakes and surrounding woodland.

James Morrison, General Manager, BMW UK Events & Partnership said: “We're excited to unveil our partnership with Wilderness Reserve, a collaboration that embodies our mutual commitment to sustainability and luxury. Guests at Wilderness Reserve will have the opportunity to discover Suffolk in the comfort of the all-electric BMW iX and i4 models, enjoying the height of luxury and advanced technology that defines the BMW brand and we can't wait to hear the feedback from the first guests in the coming days.”

Harry Hunt, Director of Wilderness Reserve adds: “We are thrilled to be launching this partnership with BMW, offering our guests the opportunity to experience a selection of BMW’s latest all-electric vehicles during their stay. We are fully committed to ensuring our unforgettable experiences offered at Wilderness Reserve go hand-in-hand with our sustainable mindset, and we can’t wait to see our guests experience the joy of driving an all-electric BMW whilst re-charging in the beautiful Suffolk landscape.

ENDS

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2022, the BMW Group sold nearly 2.4 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2022 was € 23.5 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.6 billion. As of 31 December 2022, the BMW Group had a workforce of 149,475 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

www.bmwgroup.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

For further information please contact:

Carolyn Paterson
BMW Senior Press Officer
Tel: 07815 372906
Email: Carolyn.Paterson@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Christina Burnham-Hepe
General Manager, Communications
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 376 867
Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk

• Zipse: “We are committed to a clear course to achieve the 1.5 degree target”
• 50% reduction in global CO2 use-phase emissions by 2030
• Over 40% reduction in CO2 emissions during life cycle
• Ten million all-electric vehicles within ten years
• Secondary first: Up to 50% use of secondary material planned – initiatives to develop the market are required
• Cooperation with BASF and ALBA on plastic recycling
• Resource scarcity and social responsibility: BMW Group focussed on circular economy for sustainable materials
• RE:BMW – circular economy at the IAA Mobility in Munich

  Munich. The BMW Group is increasing the pace of its efforts to combat climate change. Looking ahead to the introduction of the Neue Klasse, the company is further strengthening its self-defined objectives, announced in summer last year, to significantly reduce CO2 emissions, whilst also committing itself to a clear course that supports the 1.5 degree target for the limitation of global warming. The Neue Klasse will also see the BMW Group hugely increase its use of secondary materials with a firm focus on the principles of the circular economy, whilst also promoting better framework conditions for establishing a market for secondary materials.

To achieve a further reduction in CO2 emissions, the focus is on the utilisation phase of vehicles, which account for 70% of the BMW Group’s CO2 footprint. By 2030, the CO2 emissions per vehicle and kilometre driven will be at least halved from 2019 levels. The commitment of all manufacturers when it comes to combatting climate change can best be compared when looking at the entire life cycle of a vehicle, including production and upstream supply chain. Here, the BMW Group is planning a reduction of CO2 emission per vehicle of at least 40%.

“How companies are dealing with CO2 emissions has become a major factor when it comes to judging corporate action. The decisive factor in the fight against global warming is how strongly we can improve the carbon footprint of vehicles over their entire life span. This is why we are setting ourselves transparent and ambitious goals for the substantial reduction of CO2 emissions; these are validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative and will deliver an effective and measurable contribution,” said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, in Munich on Thursday. “With the Neue Klasse we are significantly sharpening our commitment and also committing ourselves to a clear course for achieving the 1.5 degree target.”

The BMW Group is the first German carmaker to join the Business Ambition for 1.5°C of the Science Based Targets Initiative and is committed to the goal of full climate neutrality over the entire value-added chain by 2050 at the latest. This means that the company is also part of the international Race to Zero Initiative. The company is convinced that this can be achieved using innovation, rather than any overall ban on individual technologies.

The most powerful driver on this path to climate neutrality is electric mobility, with the BMW Group’s Neue Klasse set to provide significant further momentum to the market. During the next ten years or so, the company will be putting around ten million all-electric vehicles on the road. As early as 2030, at least half of global BMW Group sales will be all-electric vehicles, with the MINI brand offering exclusively all-electric vehicles from 2030.

The BMW Group continues to comply with the stringent criteria of the Science Based Targets Initiative, when it comes to measuring the reduction of worldwide CO2 emissions of the company’s vehicles whilst they are being driven on the roads. For example, emissions from the production of fuel or electricity are included in the calculation and consumption is based on the WLTP cycle plus ten percent. With its current product and electrification strategy, the company is on track to meet the EU fleet target for 2030.

Beyond green electricity: Stronger focus on use of resources in future

BMW Group is clear that simply increasing the number of electric vehicles on the road does not automatically lead to climate-friendly mobility. The company understands that it is also crucial to reduce the use of primary material and the related environmentally harmful exploitation of resources and their often CO2-intensive processing – especially when it comes to car manufacturing, one of the most resource-intensive industries.

“2017 was the first time the world’s population consumed more than 100 billion tons of resources within a single year - a trend which we in the automotive industry must also counteract,” Zipse demanded. “This is a strategic issue, concerning not only ecological but also economic sustainability; the current development of commodity prices demonstrates the impact an industry that is dependent on limited resources must expect.”

With the number of battery-powered vehicles growing, there is increasing demand for many commodities such as cobalt, nickel and aluminium, which are required for the vehicles’ high-voltage batteries. However there is great potential for the reuse of materials in the sense of a circular economy and together with specialist partners, the BMW Group has already demonstrated that it’s technological feasible to achieve a recycling efficiency of over 90 percent.

The amount of secondary nickel used for the high-voltage battery in the BMW iX is already as high as 50 percent, with the battery housing containing up to 30 percent secondary aluminium. The BMW Group aims to improve these figures even further for future product generations.

In addition to the increasingly scare availability of primary materials and resulting commodity price increases, there are many sustainability reasons to use more secondary materials and move towards a circular economy.

The supply of secondary materials is considerably less CO2-intensive than is the case with primary materials and can significantly improve the CO2 footprint, especially within the supply chain. In the case of secondary aluminium, the CO2 saving compared with primary material constitutes a factor of approximately 4 to 6, whilst steel and thermoplastics lie between around 2 and 5.

The extraction of resources for primary materials – particularly through mining – has a significant impact on the basic regenerative capacity of ecosystems. This impact can be greatly reduced by increasing the use of secondary materials.

The mining and trading of conflict materials carries the possible risk of associated infringements of environmental and social standards. The BMW Group has established numerous measures to counteract this risk, including membership of the Responsible Minerals Initiative. However, the most efficient strategy for avoiding risks is to minimise the mining of such primary materials.

‘ Secondary First’: Crucial vehicle materials with high secondary content

As part of its holistic approach to sustainability, the BMW Group aims to increase significantly the percentage of secondary materials in its vehicles. On average, current vehicles are manufactured using almost 30 percent recycled and reusable materials. With the ‘ Secondary First’ approach, BMW Group plans to successively raise this figure to 50 percent.

Of course it’s crucial that the quality, safety and reliability of the materials comply with the same high standards as those existing for primary materials – and so it’s essential that the market availability of such high-quality materials increases considerably. In order to achieve this, cross-industry approaches and political initiatives are necessary.

Based on the four principles Re:think, Re:duce, Re:use, Re:cycle, the BMW Group is boosting its activities in the field of circular economy, an area where it’s carrying out pioneering work. For instance, vehicle production now involves the increased separation and recycling of crucial material groups, so these can be reused by the industry within the framework of ‘closed loops’.

Cooperation with BASF and the ALBA Group

Within the supply chain and depending on market availability, secondary materials are increasingly being used in BMW Group vehicles. Moreover, together with its partners, the company is providing important impetus when it comes to developing secondary materials. One example is the company’s pilot project with BASF and the ALBA Group for the increased recycling of plastics used in cars.

The aim of the project is to reduce the use of primary plastics by means of a comprehensive recycling system. To this end, the ALBA Group analyses end-of-life BMW Group vehicles to establish whether a car-to-car reuse of the plastic is possible. In a second step, BASF assesses whether chemical recycling of the pre-sorted waste can be used in order to obtain pyrolysis oil. This can be then used as a basis for new products made of plastic. In the future, a new door trim or other components could be manufactured from a used instrument panel, for example.

Closed loop rather than downcycling: ‘Circular Design’ as the basis of a circular economy

In order to achieve higher recycling rates and whilst also guaranteeing the high quality of secondary materials, the materials must be extracted in their purest form as early as possibly during the recycling process. For example, the onboard wiring systems must be easy to remove, in order to avoid mixing steel with copper from the cable harnesses in the vehicles. If this mixing does take place, the secondary steel loses its essential material properties and therefore no longer meets the high safety requirements of the automotive industry. To support this early and easy extraction of materials, the interior of a car must increasingly be made of monomaterials, so that at the end of the car’s lifecycle, as much as possible can be transferred back into the usable material cycle. Basically, reducing the number of materials can help to improve the quality of recycled materials. Currently, vehicles consist of about 8,000 to 10,000 different materials.

To achieve this, the BMW Group is now focusing on a ‘Circular Design’ concept, which is designed to guarantee the economical dismantling capacity of vehicles. It is essential that disassembly of the vehicle and its individual components is fast and cost-efficient to ensure that prices of secondary materials are competitive. It all starts with the construction of the vehicle, which must be done in such a way that allows materials to be removed at the end of the vehicle’s service life without different types of material being mixed with each other. 

RE:BMW at the IAA Mobility – a visionary outlook on circular economy

The BMW Group is putting circular economy at the centre of its presence at the IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich, where the company will offer a visionary outlook on the potentials of a circular economy and sustainable mobility. The BMW i Vision Circular embodies the company’s ambitious claim to be the most sustainable manufacturer for individual premium mobility.

This visionary vehicle, designed according to the four principles of the circular economy Re:think, Re:duce, Re:use, Re:cycle, shows how individual, sustainable and luxurious urban mobility could look in 2040. The BMW i Vision Circular is manufactured from 100 percent secondary materials or renewable raw materials, and is 100 percent recyclable.

This car demonstrates that climate protection and individual mobility do not necessarily contradict each other. On the contrary, it shows that using new technologies and innovation, the BMW Group can fulfill the planet’s requirements for greater sustainability without customers having to forgo individual mobility.

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2020, the BMW Group sold over 2.3 million passenger vehicles and more than 169,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2020 was € 5.222 billion on revenues amounting to € 98.990 billion. As of 31 December 2020, the BMW Group had a workforce of 120,726 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.

www.bmwgroup.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

Munich. The BMW Group is stepping up its activities in the field of sustainability, becoming the first automotive manufacturer worldwide to equip its cars with tyres using certified sustainable natural rubber and rayon, a wood-based material used to strengthen the tyres. The company will source 22-inch tyres in the first instance exclusively from Pirelli and, from August of this year, will use them in the BMW X5 xDrive45e Plug-in-Hybrid (fuel consumption combined: 1.7-1.2 l/100km (WLTP), 2.1-1.6 l/100 km (NEDC); power consumption combined: 27.7-24.3 kWh/100 km (WLTP), 25.2-23.5 kWh/100 km (NEDC); CO2 emissions combined: 39-27 g/km (WLTP), 47-37 g/km (NEDC)). Certification of the rubber plantations and the complex supply chain for natural rubber and rayon takes place in accordance with the strict standards of the independent Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

“As a premium manufacturer, we aspire to lead the way in sustainability and take responsibility,” said Dr Andreas Wendt, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Purchasing and Supplier Network. “We have been committed to improving cultivation of natural rubber and increasing transparency in the supplier network since 2015. The use of tyres made of certified natural rubber is a pioneering achievement for our industry. In this way, we are helping preserve biodiversity and forests to counteract climate change.”

Natural rubber is the basic material for many products we use in our daily lives, such as boots and mattresses. About six million small farmers worldwide are responsible for over 80% of the world’s natural rubber cultivation. In the so-called rubber belt across the tropical regions, they run farms of between one and two hectares in size under a wide variety of different conditions. Agreeing uniform social and environmental growing conditions with these millions of small individual farms is therefore a major challenge.

By far the largest share of natural rubber grown worldwide goes into tyre production. Natural rubber’s high elasticity and sturdiness currently make it irreplaceable for tyre production.

Small label, big impact
As an independent organisation, FSC has developed an internationally recognised and demanding certification standard in recent years that is used worldwide for environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the forests. The organisation, whose well-known logo is already established in the wood and paper industry, also applies this standard to products made of natural rubber.

The new 22-inch P ZERO ∗ tyre has now become the world's first tyre to receive the coveted FSC label. To earn this certification, Pirelli adapted its US plant in Rome, Georgia, to produce tyres using FSC-certified natural rubber and rayon. From there, the tyres are delivered to BMW Group Plant Spartanburg, around 370 km away, and mounted on the BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid. The star ∗ in the name indicates that the new tyre meets the BMW Group’s strict performance requirements, including particularly low rolling resistance and noise level.

Giovanni Tronchetti Provera, Pirelli’s Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Future Mobility, said: “Before even reaching the road, sustainable mobility begins with raw materials. With the world’s first FSC-certified tyre, Pirelli once again demonstrates its commitment to pursuing increasingly challenging goals in terms of sustainability, a testament to the constant work on innovative materials and increasingly cutting-edge production processes. We continue to invest in sustainable growth for our planet, aware that this is also essential for the future of our businesses.”

Jeremy Harrison, Chief Markets Officer, FSC International, added: “The new FSC-certified Pirelli Tyre is a significant milestone in the drive to deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits across the natural rubber value chain. This is a major step forward in the journey towards a more sustainable natural rubber value chain, thereby helping to mitigate deforestation and support the fight against climate change.”

Long-standing commitment to greater transparency and sustainability in the natural rubber supplier network
The use of the first tyres containing certified sustainable natural rubber and rayon at the BMW Group is the result of the company’s extensive commitment in this area. In 2019, the BMW Group joined forces with well-known tyre manufacturers, NGOs, rubber producers and consumers to create the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR). Small farmers are also represented in this initiative. The GPSNR is committed to improving social and environmental conditions for cultivation of natural rubber and pushing for more sustainability. It also implements measures to stop deforestation and make supply chains more transparent. The GPSNR currently has almost 100 members, who are responsible for about 50 percent of the global natural rubber market.

Through its activities in the GPSNR and close cooperation with its suppliers, the BMW Group is constantly working to further improve sustainability in the natural rubber supply chain. The BMW Group is stepping up these activities and plans to steadily expand its sourcing of tyres made from sustainably grown natural rubber.

The BMW Group has been working with the FSC organisation for many years (Licence code FSC-N002012). The company decided to use FSC-certified wood in the BMW i3, which was first launched onto the market in 2013. The BMW iX for release later this year will also feature FSC-certified wood. In 2017, the BMW Group and FSC advocated for further development of FSC standards for cultivation of natural rubber in Thailand.

Sustainability an integral part of all purchasing activities
Independently of these measures, the BMW Group has contractually obligated all its direct suppliers to respect human rights, comply with expanded environmental and social standards and to introduce management systems to promote occupational safety and protect the environment since 2014. This also includes protecting forests and biodiversity. These requirements must also be contractually passed on to subcontractors. BMW Group Purchasing does not rely on contractual obligations alone for this but is also implementing a large number of additional measures in a transparent process. A risk filter is used to evaluate potential supplier locations worldwide even before the call for bids.

The next step is to require possible suppliers to outline their sustainability activities in a detailed questionnaire. External partners also work with internal appraisers to review selected locations. Throughout the contract period, external partners work with internal appraisers to verify compliance with sustainability requirements through questionnaires and audits. In this way, BMW Group Purchasing is able to monitor thousands of locations every year.

Sustainable mobility with the BMW X5 xDrive45e
The BMW Group has completed full lifecycle CO₂ certification for the BMW X5 xDrive45e – from raw material procurement, through the supply chain, production and use phase, all the way to recycling. If charged during the use phase with the average European electricity mix, this gives it an advantage of around 40 percent over the BMW X5 xDrive40i. If charged with green power, the advantage is around 70 percent. The electric range amounts to 77-88 kilometres (WLTP).

BMW iX* and BMW i4 production powered by hydroelectricity from Rivers Isar and Lech +++ Electricity for BMW Group production is 100% green +++ Direct supply contracts boost eco-credentials +++

Munich / Dingolfing. The BMW Group will power production of the new electric BMW iX* and BMW i4 at Plants Dingolfing and Munich entirely with regional green hydroelectricity. Contracts have been signed with Stadtwerke München and RWE Supply & Trading for energy to be supplied by hydroelectricity from rivers Isar and Lech. Board Member for Production Milan Nedeljković: “We take a holistic view of sustainability. So rather than just minimising emissions from driving, we are working to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of our production processes.”

The BMW Group already powers its production facilities worldwide entirely with green electricity today. “What’s new is the fact that in the future, we will source our renewable electricity directly from regional providers based close to our plants,” Nedeljković explains. The green electricity needed for BMW iX* production will come from the Isar hydroelectric power stations Uppenborn between Moosburg and Landshut while production of the BMW i4 will be powered by the Lech hydroelectric power stations in Gersthofen and Rain. The energy they supply is also used to manufacture a wide range of components for the two electric models, at BMW Group Plants Landshut, Dingolfing and Berlin.

“Our direct supply contracts add another major boost to the eco-credentials of the green electricity we use in production,” Nedeljković emphasises. But as well as implementing more and more such contracts, the BMW Group is increasing the share of the renewable or carbon-neutral electricity it generates itself. Since 2013, for instance, the four wind turbines at Plant Leipzig have provided all the electricity needed to manufacture the BMW i3*. Another of several examples from the BMW Group production network is the newest plant, in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, where production is largely powered using energy from large solar arrays.

The energy goals the BMW Group has set itself are designed for the longer term. Between 2006 and 2019, emissions from production fell by more than 70 percent per car. Going forward Nedeljković explains: “We want to cut CO₂ emissions by another 80 percent by 2030, to less than 10 percent of what they were in 2006.”

The BMW Group has a strong foundation to build on, having raised the bar repeatedly over the last few decades in terms of sustainability. Continuous improvement remains central to the strategy to cut CO₂ emissions and increase resource efficiency.

As well as sourcing 100 percent green energy, since 2020 the BMW Group has been systematically investing in improving energy efficiency – partly by capitalising on the opportunities of digitalisation. Data analytics has already helped make production more efficient, for instance with predictive machine maintenance and by minimising the number of parts rejected from the bodyshop. As well as drastically cutting actual CO₂ emissions, the BMW Group will offset any remaining emissions (Scope 1 + 2) in full via relevant certificates.

The all-new electric BMW i3 was revealed today in London to over 250 representatives from a wide range of European bodies and organisations responsible for shaping the future of sustainable urban mobility and creating the framework conditions for the take-up of electric vehicles. Guest of honour, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin MP, reinforced the commitment of the UK Government to support industry in its efforts to develop and deploy a growing range of innovative low-carbon vehicles and mobility services that will help to decarbonise the transport sector and make urban mobility increasingly sustainable.

Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management, Sales and Marketing BMW, unveiled the BMW i3 to an audience that included government policy officials, representatives from London borough councils, energy companies and infrastructure providers, financial analysts, investment advisors and non-governmental organisations. Participants from France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden were among the attendees at an international event that explored the important contributions being made by car manufacturers, policy-makers, academic institutions and many other organisations to accelerate the transition to a low carbon future. 

Robertson said: ‘The BMW i3 heralds the dawn of a new era for individual mobility and for the BMW Group. True to a genuine BMW, the BMW i3 has strong emotional appeal, outstanding product substance and a guarantee of sheer driving pleasure. Working together with governments, city mayors and other key partners, we are confident that this exciting new solution for urban mobility will provide customers with an attractive offer for electromobility and successfully address the environmental challenges facing a growing number of megacities around the world.’

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: ‘It is fantastic to see a great brand like BMW introducing such a striking electric vehicle to the mainstream market. This shows that, like Government, industry is serious about this technology. We have just announced an extra £500m to drive the growing market for ultra-low emission vehicles. That announcement underscores our ambitions for this sector and will help to create a stable and buoyant industry to support it.  This is some of the most long-sighted and comprehensive support for these vehicles anywhere in the world and will put Britain in the vanguard of this growing market.’

London is leading the way in electric car use in the UK. With funding from the UK Government, in 2011, the Mayor of London launched ‘Source London’, the UK’s first city-wide electric vehicle charging point network and membership scheme, as part of his on-going commitment to increase electric car use in the capital in order to improve air quality and reduce carbon.  He also has plans to introduce the world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone in central London from 2020 which would see dramatic benefits in air quality and provide a major spur for the further development and mass take-up of zero and low emission vehicles in the capital.  

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “We have to get the conditions right to ensure motorists can comfortably take up the option of electric vehicle motoring and this latest innovation should help to make zero-emission vehicles a more common choice for consumers. In the capital we’ve also introduced Source London, a city-wide public charging network, to make the transition to electric even easier, helping to drive down pollution and improve quality of life.”

A panel discussion involving experts from five different European countries looked at the effectiveness of tax incentives, the growing charging infrastructure network, the introduction of innovative car-sharing schemes and the use of renewable energy to power electric vehicles as key factors in determining the future success of electromobility.

The all-new BMW i3 will be delivered to UK customers in November 2013. It is the world’s first premium electric vehicle designed from the ground up to be powered by an electric drive system. It is also a world first by virtue of bringing together visionary design, pioneering technology and an innovative vehicle concept that includes a passenger cell made of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP).

Ends

The BMW Group

The BMW Group is the leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 28 production and assembly facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2012, the BMW Group sold about 1.85 million cars and more than 117,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2012 was euro 7.82 billion on revenues amounting to euro 76.85 billion. At 31 December 2012, the BMW Group had a workforce of 105,876 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last eight years.

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Office for Low Emission Vehicles
Through its cross-departmental Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), the UK Government has created a wide-ranging programme to position the UK as a world leader in ultra low emission vehicles. OLEV is investing around £400 million to 2015 to support research and development and infrastructure for this sector, as well as providing an incentive for vehicle buyers worth up to £5,000 for cars and £8,000 for vans. Beyond 2015, the Government recently announced that it will provide over £500 million of additional capital investment to further consolidate the UK’s position. The UK Government will publish a strategy later this year setting out its ambitions for the ultra low emission vehicle sector.

 

Mayor of London

On 26 May 2011, the Mayor of London launched Source London, the UK’s first city-wide electric vehicle charging point network and membership scheme. On 30 April 2013, Transport for London delivered the Mayor’s aspiration to create 1,300 public charge points across the city, making it even easier for electric vehicle owners to plug in whilst on the move in London. This means there are more charging points than petrol stations in London – giving Londoners the confidence that they can charge their vehicle easily and conveniently at charge points located at both on-street and off-street locations such as supermarkets, public car parks and shopping and leisure centres.

On 13 February 2013.  the Mayor of London announced his intention to create the world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone in central London. The ULEZ will, he believes, deliver dramatic benefits in air quality and provide a major spur for the further development and mass take-up of zero and low emission vehicles. Transport for London are looking at the feasibility of vehicles driving in the centre of the capital from 2020 being zero or low emission.

For further information please contact:

Piers Scott                            General Manager, Product and Internal Communications

Tel: 01344 480113             Email: Piers.Scott@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs                       Corporate Communications Director

Tel:  01344 480109            Email:  Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk

Press office fax:                    01344 480306

Media website:                    www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk
Customer website:              www.bmw.co.uk

This is a 1:1 copy of a Munich press release. No alterations have been made for the UK market.

Hubject GmbH, a joint venture formed by BMW Group, Bosch, Daimler, EnBW, RWE and Siemens, and eighteen other companies signed an agreement today to cooperate under the "eMobility ICT Interoperability Interest Group", thereby forming an international interest group to promote harmonised electromobility data standards.

Andreas Pfeiffer, Managing Director of Hubject GmbH, comments: "In the emerging electromobility market common standards are needed. From our point of view the formation of the eMobility ICT Interoperability Interest Group marks a milestone in the development of a functioning and complete electromobility system."

The cooperation between as many service providers as possible provides the foundation needed to ensure a standardised data exchange between all players and to reduce barriers for the users.

Electric cars will become more integrated into the intelligent traffic infrastructure and energy networks of the future than conventional combustion engines, with modern Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) forming the backbone for the integration of electric vehicles into these networks. Over the last years significant progress has been achieved in this field in a range of research projects across Europe. The diverse range of services that have emerged from these projects now need to be connected on a global level to ensure that electromobility can be established as a sustainable alternative to conventional combustion engines. The "eMobility ICT Interoperability Interest Group", a unique joint initiative by leading electromobility companies, therefore pursues a goal: to enable interoperable international services by harmonising current and future data standards. Especially end users will benefit from this, as harmonised standards and a diverse service offering in the global market will make it easy and attractive to use electromobility.

Companies involved in the "eMobility ICT Interoperability Interest Group":
Betterplace, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Bosch Software Innovations GmbH, Coulomb Technologies Inc., Daimler AG, e-laad, EnBW Operations GmbH, ENEL Distribuzione, ESB, EValu8 Transport Innovations Limited, Fitsa, Green eMotion Project, Hubject GmbH, IBM Deutschland GmbH, INTELI - Inteligência em Inovação (MOBI.E), Renault, SAP, Siemens - Aktiengesellschaft, smartlab Innovationsgesellschaft mbH.

About Hubject GmbH:
Hubject GmbH is a joint venture formed by the BMW Group, Bosch, Daimler, EnBW, RWE and Siemens based in Berlin. The company is developing a cross-industry data platform connecting infrastructure, service and mobility providers, thereby making a significant contribution towards a multi-provider electric vehicle infrastructure without barriers.

Press contact:
Judith Schmerberg
Email: presse@hubject.com