The BMW Group’s plant in Leipzig, Germany, has been chosen as the production site for the all-electric MINI Countryman, which will be the first MINI model to be entirely produced in Germany. The all-electric MINI Countryman will be locally emission-free, making it an excellent fit for the plant’s sustainable energy supply, ensuring that the vehicle will be delivered to customers in a CO2-neutral manner.
The production of the all-electric MINI Countryman will begin at the end of 2023, marking a significant milestone for the MINI brand, which is committed to becoming an all-electric brand by 2030. The vehicle will be powered by high-voltage batteries produced in the plant’s own facilities, further emphasizing the BMW Group’s commitment to sustainability.
Expansion of electromobility
The BMW Group’s sustainability strategy includes the expansion of electromobility, and the company is investing more than 800 million euros to expand its capacities for e-component production at the Leipzig site. This investment aims to ensure that the production of electric vehicles is sustainable and that the company can meet the growing demand for electric vehicles.
Wind turbines for energy generation
The plant generates some of the energy required for automotive production using four wind turbines on-site. The electricity generated from these turbines can be stored temporarily in a battery storage farm since 2017. This innovative solution ensures that the energy generated is used efficiently and reduces the plant’s dependence on traditional energy sources.
Green hydrogen technology in the paint shop
To further reduce carbon emissions, the plant’s paint shop uses green hydrogen technology instead of natural gas. This technology is a newly developed burner technology that uses hydrogen as a fuel, significantly reducing carbon emissions from the plant. This solution is part of the BMW Group’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and ensuring that its production processes are sustainable.
MINI’s transformation into an all-electric brand
The all-electric MINI Countryman is a significant step in MINI’s transformation into an all-electric brand by 2030. With the production of the all-electric MINI Countryman, the brand will lead the new MINI family into an era of locally emission-free electromobility. The high-voltage batteries used in the vehicle will be produced at the BMW Group Plant Leipzig, making the MINI Countryman an excellent example of how the BMW Group is integrating sustainable solutions into its production processes.
Overall, the BMW Group’s commitment to sustainability and the production of electric vehicles is evident in its choice of Leipzig plant as the production site for the all-electric MINI Countryman. The plant’s sustainable energy supply, wind turbines, and green hydrogen technology, along with its investment in e-component production, highlight the BMW Group’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and produce electric vehicles sustainably. With the production of the all-electric MINI Countryman, MINI is taking a significant step towards becoming an all-electric brand by 2030, and the vehicle is expected to be a popular choice for customers who prioritize sustainability and locally emission-free driving.