BMW's Move to Sustainable Logistics with Electric Trucks
In a strategic move aimed at decarbonising its logistics operations, BMW Group has introduced two all-electric trucks to transport components for high-voltage battery production at its plant in Leipzig, Germany.
This initiative marks a significant step in the automaker's broader commitment to sustainable transportation and manufacturing as it ramps up electric vehicle (EV) production.
The newly-deployed electric trucks are expected to save around nine tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, reinforcing BMW's goal to minimise its carbon footprint across the supply chain.
"Electric trucks are the perfect solution for shorter distances like this," comments Petra Peterhänsel, Plant Director at BMW Group Leipzig.
"We're delighted to undertake this journey with our longstanding logistics partner, the Rudolph Logistik Gruppe. The transition to electromobility and sustainable production affects not only our BMW and MINI cars but also our production methods and supply chains."
BMW's role in EV component production
BMW Group Plant Leipzig has emerged as a pioneer in EV component production since 2021, taking on the entire high-voltage battery manufacturing process in early 2024.
The plant now operates five cell coating lines, three module production lines and two battery assembly lines, employing around 1,000 workers dedicated to this critical EV powertrain production.
To accommodate the shift, the company has converted existing assembly halls formerly used for the BMW i3 and i8 models into advanced manufacturing spaces for high-voltage batteries.
This transformation has added approximately 150,000 square meters of production capacity to the plant, which now has an annual output of up to 300,000 battery units.
Thus far, BMW's investments in e-component production at Plant Leipzig exceed €900m (US$957.9m)
Contributing to a healthier environment
Made by Designwerk, the two fully-electric trucks at BMW's Leipzig facility are powered by lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery systems, which offer high efficiency and environmental benefits.
Each features four electric drives delivering 610 horsepower, making them three times more energy-efficient than comparable diesel trucks. Crucially, they emit no local pollutants such as soot, nitrogen oxides or carbon dioxide, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier environment.
What's more, the trucks are notably quieter, emitting about five decibels less noise than diesel-powered trucks operating at low speeds.
Charging is streamlined to fit into drivers' breaks, with each vehicle's 340 kWh battery requiring approximately 1.5 hours to reach 80% capacity. This ensures the trucks can operate around the clock, supporting BMW's continuous production schedule.
As it stands, the two electric trucks are completing the eight-kilometre round trip from the logistics centre to Leipzig’s battery production halls and back up to 12 times a day, meaning around 100km per truck per day is being covered quietly and with zero local emissions.
BMW's broader sustainability initiatives
The implementation of electric trucks at BMW Group Plant Leipzig forms part of the automaker's broader Green Transport Logistics Project, which aims to reduce emissions across its global production and sales network.
In addition to EVs, the project includes testing various eco-friendly technologies and alternative fuels, such as HVO100 biofuel, at the company's Munich site, as well as ongoing exploration of hydrogen as a fuel source.
This multi-faceted approach is designed to help BMW achieve its ambitious goal of a 40% reduction in CO₂ emissions across the entire vehicle lifecycle by 2030, compared to 2019 levels.
A commitment to sustainable logistics
BMW Group's adoption of electric trucks at its Leipzig plant reflects the company's strong commitment to sustainable logistics and innovation in vehicle production.
By reducing emissions in component transport, the automaker is setting new industry standards and emphasising that sustainability is integral to the vehicles it produces and the methods it employs in manufacturing and logistics.
This transition is an essential milestone in BMW's ongoing journey to meet the rising demand for environmentally-friendly transportation solutions while supporting a cleaner, quieter and more sustainable future in the automotive sector.
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