BMW Group Australia’s Melbourne headquarters’ solar panel array has expanded from 200 panels to 1109.
The new 500kW array is capable of producing 600MWh annually, says the group, adding it can power 100% of on-site battery electric vehicle (BEV) charging.
The BMW company fleet now comprises 44% BEVs – an increase of 33% on the same time last year.
Customer BEV volume continues to rise in 2024, with 7000 year-to-date (YTD) registrations (up 163%), says the group.
The roof of the headquarters, which houses office space for BMW, Mini, BMW Motorrad and BMW Financial Services, has added 909 solar panels to those first installed two years ago.
System output is now four times greater at 500kW, with the capability to produce 600MWh annually, says BMW Group Australia.
It means the 26 on-site EV charging bays – double the number of those from 2023 – can be fully powered by on-site solar energy, says the group.
BEVs accounted for 29% of the total BMW sales mix, while Mini has nearly doubled its number of BEV registrations to the end of November, it says.
BMW Group Australia has also reduced waste and power demand at its HQ.
The on-site company bistro has eliminated single-use takeaway cups, adopted plant-based water bottles that reduce carbon emissions by 74%, and transitioned to glass for other beverages, aligning with the BMW Group’s global “Rethink, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” strategy.
BMW Group Australia says its dealer partners play a vital role in the sustainability drive. “All dealerships have implemented recycling measures for general waste while also embracing rooftop solar, water recycling, and workshop/customer EV charging solutions,” it says.
Globally, the BMW Group aims to reduce emissions per vehicle over the entire vehicle life cycle by 2030 by at least 40% compared with 2019 levels.
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