Even when electricity generation is taken into account, the greenhouse potential of the BMW i3 can be reduced by 30 percent to more than 50 percent compared with conventional vehicles of its size and performance, according to test results from consulting and testing company TUV SUD Group in Germany.
"Furthermore, we produce the carbon fiber raw material using hydroelectric power, and build the BMW i with sustainable wind power. The BMW i is truly a green concept," said Engel.
He said that by 2016, the capacity of the carbon fiber plant in California, which is the largest in the world, would be expanded to 9,000 tons a year. "We have a strong desire to create something better for tomorrow," Engel said.
Premium services
BMW also supports customers with comprehensive premium services. The "360-degree ELECTRIC" approach hopes to make e-mobility enjoyable and easy.
According to BMW's trials, 99 percent of customer demands could be satisfied by home charging facilities. At the start of the market launch, BMW plans to provide customers with free basic installment of the home charging facility.
The company is also working with its partners to provide public charging solutions.
In May, BMW started a joint project in Shanghai to build 50 charging pillars. In July, the Sino-German Electric Vehicle Charging Project, in which BMW played an active role, announced that the standards for A/C charging was unified, which meant all BMW charging pillars can be used to charge most other electric vehicles in China.
"We believe the more charging pillars that are in place and the more electric vehicles on the road, the better for the entire market. With BMW i, and our NEV (neighborhood electric vehicle) brand ZINORO under BMW Brilliance, as well as our future electric vehicles, we are taking a pioneering role in the Chinese new-energy vehicle market," said Engel.
"We are offering a total solution with a comprehensive business model. With the rental and leasing services, we will provide attractive financial offers," he said.
BMW have appointed seven authorized 5S dealers for BMW i in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Shenyang.
In China, authorized dealers are usually referred to as 4S for their functions of sales, service, survey and spare parts. The seven dealers for BMW i are called 5S because the concept of sustainability has been added, the company said.
In the future, BMW i will be introduced to more cities and the dealer network will be expanded, according to Engel.
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