One of the issues engineers have grappled with as electric vehicles become increasingly more in vogue is battery disposal and production. Batteries have a finite life. Though they can be charged hundreds of times, they will eventually stop holding a charge. It’s at this point consumers and manufacturers alike have questioned how these batteries can sustainably be disposed of. At BMW, we believe to truly develop a “green” car requires a holistic process. While it’s important to build car was the smallest CO2 footprint possible, it’s equally important to extend that mindfulness to the production of and the energy that goes into the batteries of electric vehicles.

As part of our commitment to sustainable, renewable energy, BMW had decided to partner with Straus Organic Dairy Farms to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases while delivering clean energy. From the very beginning when BMW created the BMW i3 and i8 models, the German automaker was committed to creating a new standard for renewable energy. The Leipzig factory that assembles the i3 uses renewable energy, and in some markets, BMW i sells solar panels to charge their electric vehicles. BMW innovated its production process to ensure its electric vehicles (EV) efficiently use renewable energy throughout and source clean energy to recharge. The new partnership with Straus Organic Dairy Farm will provide EV drivers in California with renewable energy by using a methane biodigester to capture the methane from cow manure and transform it into clean energy.

The methane from the cow manure will be exported to a public power grid rather than leak into the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas. This process will both reduce the emissions of the methane from the manure and those from the fossil fuels that power gasoline vehicles. This collaboration will be the first of its kind in the automotive industry. ­­The goal will be to ensure every electric mile driven by BMW and MINI drivers in California is covered by this uniquely sourced renewable energy. The BMW Group hopes to create more partnerships like this to further contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the years to come.