BMW showcases low carbon technology at London’s City Hall

BMW Group took part in the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LCVP) Annual Conference, showing the MINI E all-electric vehicle and the BMW 116d, a car that beats the emissions performance of the 118d – last year’s World Green Car of the Year.

At the same time a MINI E took to British roads for the first time in the Brighton to London Revolve Eco-Rally, which finished at City Hall where the finishers were welcomed by London Mayor, Boris Johnson.

BMW Group has announced that MINI E will go on a twelve-month field trial in Germany and the USA this year to evaluate the technical and social aspects of living with an all-electric vehicle in a real world environment. The UK is expected to be included in this programme.

BMW Group UK Managing Director, Tim Abbot, said: “We believe the MINI E is an excellent vehicle for trialling this alternative form of sustainable mobility. And what better time to do this than in the year we celebrate the 50th birthday of MINI. We look forward to extending our German and American trials to the UK and I am delighted to see it running so impressively on British roads for the first time.”

The MINI E research project supports the BMW Group goal of achieving emission-free driving and underlines its commitment to reducing CO2 emissions without compromising the driving experience. The company aims to begin series production of all-electric vehicles in the medium term as part of the company’s Strategy Number ONE. Know-how gained from the MINI E pilot projects around the world will play an important part in informing future strategic and technological decisions.

The BMW Group is the most sustainable car company in the world – as the latest Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) recently confirmed for the fourth year in succession. The company already offers the most efficient cars in the premium segment courtesy of EfficientDynamics technologies.

BMW first offered EfficientDynamics as standard in 2007. A raft of models received Auto Start / Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration, Active Aerodynamics, low rolling resistance tyres, Electric Power Steering, on-demand ancillary systems and optimum gearshift indicator features.

These technologies built on the existing lightweight engineering principles and direct injection engine technology introduced over the previous few years. Across virtually the entire MINI range, many of the same technologies are present under the MINIMALISM title and ensure the premium small car offers an unbeatable mix of fun and frugality.

The BMW 118d was named World Green Car of the Year 2008 and the 116d shown at the event in London is even more frugal. It has a combined fuel consumption of 64.2mpg, CO2 emissions of just 118g/km and yet is still highly rewarding to drive with a zero to 62mph acceleration time of 10.2 seconds and a top speed of 124mph.

“This is a car which is amongst the most fuel efficient you can buy, yet is still every inch a BMW,” said Tim Abbott. “It’s rather like having your cake and eating it.”