The brand new BMW i3, the second Neue Klasse mannequin, incorporates roughly 30% secondary supplies general. Gen6 battery cells ship a 33% CO2e discount per watt-hour versus the earlier era. The entrance bumper incorporates 30% recycled plastic, and aluminum elements use as much as 80% secondary content material. Manufacturing begins in Munich in 2026.
Munich-based BMW Group says the brand new BMW i3 — the second mannequin on its Neue Klasse electrical platform — will comprise roughly 30% secondary supplies general, with circularity-oriented design utilized throughout inside and exterior elements.
Manufacturing of the i3 is about to start at BMW Group Plant Munich in 2026, with the ability transitioning to an solely battery electrical car (BEV) portfolio for the Neue Klasse from 2027 onward. The plant sources 100% of its externally procured electrical energy from renewable vitality and has undergone a four-year modernization program together with a brand new physique store, car meeting corridor, and logistics areas.
The i3 makes use of Gen6 battery cells in its high-voltage battery pack. In response to BMW, CO2e emissions per watt-hour have been decreased by roughly 33% in contrast with the Gen5 cells utilized in its predecessor. Secondary supplies are partially used for cobalt, lithium, and nickel within the Gen6 cells, and vitality from renewable sources is employed throughout anode and cathode materials manufacturing in addition to cell manufacturing.
Throughout the broader provide chain, BMW says focused decarbonization measures throughout product growth of the i3 lowered CO2e emissions by roughly one third, in contrast with trade averages drawn from an internationally acknowledged life cycle evaluation (LCA) database. The automaker notes these figures are preliminary forecasts topic to alter forward of begin of manufacturing (SOP).
Relying on drivetrain variant, annual mileage, and charging electrical energy supply, the BMW i3 50xDrive achieves a CO2e lifecycle benefit over a comparable inside combustion engine (ICE) car after one to 2 years of buyer use.
BMW has expanded its “Design for Circularity” method on the i3, guided by three rules: secondary first, materials choice, and optimized dismantling.
The entrance bumper trim incorporates 30% recycled plastic. The variety of totally different supplies within the full bumper meeting — excluding mounted elements — has been reduce from 15 to seven versus the seventh-generation 3 Sequence, elevating the proportion of recyclable plastic from roughly 46% to round 85%.
Econeer seat covers, obtainable within the Important gear line, use a recyclable textile composite with an higher material derived from 100% recycled PET. BMW says dismantling functionality has been improved to allow material-specific separation at finish of life.
Aluminum die-cast elements together with entrance and rear knuckles incorporate 80% secondary uncooked materials content material, whereas forged aluminum wheels comprise 70% secondary aluminum. The rear electrical motor housing, produced at BMW Plant Landshut, makes use of as much as two-thirds secondary aluminum.
The engine compartment cowl and storage compartment beneath the hood use a beginning materials comprising 30% recycled maritime plastic — post-consumer materials sourced from used fishing nets and ropes. Headliner, A-pillar, and parcel shelf textiles are constructed from yarn with a base materials consisting solely of recycled content material.
BMW publishes its Product Carbon Footprint information, validated by TÜV (German Technical Inspection Affiliation), in a Car Footprint report accessible on-line and thru the My BMW app.
