As BMW Plant Leipzig in Germany rolled the 100,000th BMW i3 electric vehicle off its assembly line on November 4, 2017, it used the occasion to explain how the new electricity storage facility at the plant fits into its long-term strategy for electromobility. The video below also helps to describe how BMW meets its commitment to using sustainable resources while providing a second life to the vehicle batteries that are a byproduct of that electromobility strategy.
The BMW i3 battery electric vehicle (BEV) and a number of plug-in hybrids have positioned BMW as a global leader in electrified vehicles. On November 4th, Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, and Plant Leipzig Director Hans-Peter Kemser used the occasion of the 100,000th i3 to celebrate not only the production milestone, but also the official commissioning of BMW Battery Storage Farm Leipzig. The new large-scale electricity storage system provides a second life for used i3 high-voltage batteries that not only helps power BMW Plant Leipzig, but also serves as a reserve for the public power grid.
“We are proud of the 100,000th BMW i3 built by our plant in Leipzig," said Krüger. "The BMW i3 is the original; a true technological pioneer. With BMW i as our spearhead, we intend to remain the leading premium supplier of electromobility going forward. We are now looking ahead to the next member of the BMW i family, the i8 Roadster, which will expand our leading position in the field of electro-mobility. In 2025, we will offer our customers a total of 25 models with electrified drive trains. In the interests of sustainability, today we are also presenting a concept for the second use of BMW i3 high-voltage batteries. With our Strategy Number One>Next, we are looking far beyond the car itself and driving change in our industry with totally new approaches and business models.”
With that, the newest vehicle from BMW i was unveiled: a BMW i8 Roadster—still in camouflage, however—that will go into production at Leipzig next year. We anticipate the official launch of the i8 Roadster early next year, perhaps at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, or BMW could surprise us with an i8 Roadster appearance at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December.
The dignitaries then commissioned the new BMW Battery Storage Farm Leipzig. It connects up to 700 used i3 high-capacity batteries and will serve as storage for electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind turbines, which already provide Plant Leipzig with power.
BMW has been building recyclable vehicles for years. By creating a functional facility that efficiently and economically utilizes i3 batteries after their life as automotive power supplies are completed, BMW demonstrates again that it is serious about incorporating recycled components with renewable electrical generation to better protect and sustain natural resources.—Scott Blazey
[Photo and video courtesy of BMW AG.]
