BMW 2009 Annual Report Download - page 37

35 Group Management Report
onwards. The introduction of the Euro-6 standard in
2014
will further limit the emission levels allowed for die-
sel-
powered passenger cars. In September 2008 the
BMW 330d with
optional BMW BluePerformance tech-
nology became the first car to comply with the Euro-6
exhaust emission standard. In
2009, the BMW 730d and
the BMW 530d as well as the BMW 320d (2010 model
year onwards) became the next diesel models to feature
optional BluePerformance technology.
Groundbreaking BMW hybrid technology
The first hybrid series cars to be manufactured by the
BMW Group, the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 and the BMW
ActiveHybrid 7, were presented at the IAA in Frankfurt in
autumn 2009. These cars combine the advantages of
electric motors with those of combustion engines. This
technology therefore enables fuel savings of up to 20 %
compared to cars powered by conventional combustion
engines. In future the BMW Group will be able to provide
its customers with a comprehensive hybrid module system
that provides the most suitable hybrid solution for each
particular model.
Field testing for electromobility
Project i, originally aimed at the further development of al-
ternative drive train systems, was set up in 2007 in con-
junction with our Strategy Number ONE. However,
this
project does not only focus on these systems. Project i
thinks several steps ahead – new types of composite
material, new car concepts as well as alternative mobility
concepts are equally important. Project i embodies a
far-reaching initiative to develop completely new vehicle
concepts. We are not only working on electrically driven
cars, but also on concepts designed to significantly reduce
the environmental impact of the car all the way along the
value-added chain. In an initial step, approximately 600 fully
electrically driven MINI cars were built for a large-scale trial
and handed over to both private and business customers
in the USA, the UK and Germany. The cars are powered by
a 150-kW electric motor fed by highly efficient lithium-ion
batteries. The MINI E can reach a top speed of 152 km / h.
The energy storage system enables the car to cover up
to 250 kilometres and can be recharged within 2.5 hours
using its own charging device. That makes us one of the
f
irst manufacturers to have handed over electric cars
served by lithium-ion technology for wide-scale use on
public roads. Field testing in New York, Los Angeles, Lon-
don, Berlin and Munich is providing us with important
knowledge with respect to everyday use of this technology
and helping us in our efforts to further develop the con-
cept of electro mobility. We are also making this information
available to scientists and policymakers with the aim of
creating an efficient and environmentally friendly infrastruc-
ture for electromobility. On the basis of the knowledge
gained, we will be launching a series-built electrically driven
car on the market sometime during the first half of the cur-
rent decade.
Around four million kilometres driven with
hydrogen in the tank
The drive train technology used in the hydrogen-powered
BMW
Hydrogen 7 is groundbreaking. Hydrogen is practi-
cally
carbon-neutral when burnt and emission-free. An ini-
tial small-scale series of 100 cars has covered some four
million kilometres worldwide since 2007. These tests go to
prove the suitability of our hydrogen-powered cars for both
series production and everyday use. Regardless of this
fact, we continue to work on optimising various system
components (for instance on systems suitable for storing
hydrogen).
Communicating sustainability
Our sustainability activities were accompanied during the
reporting period by a communication initiative. At events
such as the ZEIT Conference at the IAA and the World
Climate Summit in Copenhagen, we took the opportunity
to elucidate our position as the world’s most sustainable
car manufacturer, including discussions held with opinion
leaders. Our print campaign “What’s Next?”, mostly ap-
pearing in German leading media, also helped to highlight
to the general public the lead we are taking in this area.