Sustainability that also embraces the production process.

What makes the BMW i approach so unique is the revolutionary, holistically sustainable concept which ranges from initial development and design, production and utilization right up to recycling and offers, in all respects, sustainability at the same level as conventional BMW standards in terms of quality and driving pleasure. BMW i thinks beyond the actual vehicle itself and makes allowances for the entire value chain. For example, BMW i vehicles are produced at the BMW Leipzig plant using electricity that is gained directly from wind turbines located on the factory premises and – thanks to a new production method – built using a fraction of the energy that is required for conventional vehicle construction. For the very first time at this factory, premium automobiles are being produced that are designed from the outset to be powered solely by electricity or by a plug-in hybrid drive system respectively. These are vehicles that, unlike so-called conversion models, are not based on conventional automobile structures and merely equipped with additional electric components, but vehicles that are designed right from the start to attain sustainable electric mobility.

BMW Life Drive concept lowers vehicle weight.

Sustainable electric mobility calls for completely new solutions – which also applies to the vehicle architecture. At BMW i, this solution is termed “Life Drive”, a vehicle architecture especially designed for the electric vehicle. This innovation not only more than compensates for the weight of the battery, but also lowers the centre of gravity, guaranteeing a high degree of occupant safety. The Life Drive architecture of the BMW i3 and the i8 comprises two modules – the Life Module as a passenger compartment and the Drive Module, a suspension set-up featuring integrated drive technology. The Life Module consists of high-strength, extremely light carbon, a material that is 50 per cent lighter than steel but significantly more rigid.

The BMW Group is the world’s first company to industrialize the CFRP production process for economical usage in automobile production. Thanks to the use of this material, it was possible to dispense with the B pillar in the entrance area of both the BMW i3 and the BMW i8, thereby conveying a distinct feeling of spaciousness and permitting convenient access to the interior. The Drive Module is made of lightweight aluminum and accommodates all suspension, heating/air conditioning and drive components as well as the battery. All in all, this means more room for the passengers and, thanks to the low centre of gravity, typical BMW agility and road-holding characteristics.