PressClub Canada · Article.
The BMW iX xDrive50 5th generation eDrive and sustainability.
Wed Mar 17 00:01:00 CET 2021 Press Kit
Aged
+++ 5th generation eDrive technology with two motors producing combined 500hp +++ 300-mile range based on preliminary manufacturer estimates +++ Sustainability in design and manufacturing +++ US market launch expected early 2022 +++ US pre-orders to begin in June 2021
Press Contact.
Marc Belcourt
BMW Group
Tel: +1-905-428-5078
Fax: +1-905-428-5071
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Author.
Marc Belcourt
BMW Group
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This press release is a 1:1 copy of the release issued by BMW USA. Specifications – including but not limited to pricing, options, charging and range – have not been finalized for the Canadian market.
Richmond Hill, ON. Today, BMW announces the second installment of
the all-electric iX preview series, discussing the latest eDrive
technology and the comprehensive sustainability measures taken to
ensure that the iX is the most advanced and most sustainable vehicle
yet to be brought out by the BMW Group.
The iX xDrive50 brings together the company’s latest developments
in the fields of Design, Connectivity, Electrification and Services.
The expertise accumulated by the BMW Group over many years in the area
of sustainability has been channeled into the product substance and
manufacturing concept employed for the BMW iX xDrive50. And the most
exacting environmental compatibility requirements have been put in
place throughout the value chain and for the full life cycle of the
car. Key components include closely monitored raw materials
extraction, the exclusive use of electricity from renewable sources in
the production process and an extraordinarily high proportion of
recycled materials.
“Technology is driving the advances we need to tackle even the
greatest challenges. This applies, in particular, to climate
protection,” says Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of
BMW AG. “We are in no doubt: mobility has to be sustainable if it is
to represent a truly outstanding solution. For the BMW Group, premium
mobility is not possible without responsibility.”
US pricing will be announced closer to market launch but the iX
is expected to have an MSRP starting in the mid $80’s.
U.S. market launch is expected in early 2022 with pre-ordering to
begin in June 2021.
Sustainability
Making responsible use of resources and minimizing a product’s
carbon footprint at all stages of its life cycle underpin the
approach to premium mobility championed by BMW i. This
all-encompassing concept has been implemented more rigorously than
ever in the development and production of the new BMW iX xDrive50.
To achieve this, advances have been made across all areas that
affect the creation and use of vehicles from all the BMW Group’s
brands. Measures for improving sustainability are defined for every
model and cover all phases – from the production of raw materials
through manufacturing and subsequent recycling.
Utilizing green energy for production of both the battery cells
and the vehicle and making increased use of secondary materials cuts
CO2 emissions by 18 per cent compared with vehicle production where
these measures are not deployed.
“Rather than simply passing the buck to the supplier network, we
take responsibility together with our direct suppliers,” explains
Dr. Andreas Wendt, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG,
responsible for Purchasing and Supplier Network. “In so doing, we
tap into our many years of experience and create processes for
attaining greater transparency and traceability.”
Raw materials production: monitored, transparent and certified.
The sustainability targets for the BMW iX xDrive50 were set
during the very early stages of vehicle development. This includes
the upstream production chains. The focal points on the purchasing
side are compliance with environmental and social standards,
respect for human rights, conservation of natural resources and
reduction of CO2 emissions. Measures for optimizing sustainability
were established in partnership with suppliers, such as using
recycled materials and harnessing renewable energy.
Besides an eco-friendly manufacturing process, consideration is
also given to the recyclability of the components and to
health-related aspects. The material properties of all components
are meticulously documented and verified at the BMW Group’s
materials laboratory. The checks include ensuring that potentially
allergenic materials, such as nickel, are not used in areas where
they could be touched by customers.
This holistic approach to improving sustainability also
embraces those technological developments that make it possible to
reduce the use of critical materials, or even avoid them
altogether. For instance, the electric motors in fifth-generation
BMW eDrive technology dispense with the need for rare-earth
materials. Instead of the customary magnets for which these raw
materials are needed, electromagnetic fields are used to ensure
both instantaneous and precisely controllable actuation of the
electric drive. The BMW Group has thereby capitalized on its
industry-leading development expertise in the field of drive
systems to enable it to produce electric motors irrespective of
rare earth availability.
During development of the latest generation of battery cells,
the proportion of cobalt contained in the cathode material was
reduced to less than ten per cent. In addition, the BMW Group
procures the cobalt for the battery cells itself and then makes it
available to the battery cell suppliers. The company can therefore
ensure that environmental and sustainability standards are
observed during the extraction and processing of cobalt and that
there are no violations of human rights.
Although no cobalt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC) is being used in the battery cells for fifth-generation
BMW eDrive technology, the BMW Group is involved in a pilot
project there focusing on ecologically and socially sustainable
mining of this raw material. The company, together with its
supply chain partners, has commissioned the German Agency for
International Cooperation (GIZ) to develop measures aimed at
improving working and living conditions for both artisanal mine
workers and the inhabitants of nearby communities. If the
project is successful, having cobalt supplied directly from the
DRC could become an option for the BMW Group once more.
Lithium is another critical-classified raw material that is
vital for the production of high-voltage batteries. The BMW
Group sources this raw material directly before supplying it to
battery cell manufacturers. This ensures complete transparency
regarding the origin of the raw materials required for
lithium-ion batteries. The lithium used in the high-voltage
battery pack on board the BMW iX xDrive50 is mined from
hard-rock deposits in Australia in accordance with the company’s
environmental and sustainability standards. The BMW Group has
also commissioned two prestigious American universities to carry
out a study into sustainable lithium extraction in Latin
America. The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of
lithium extraction on local water supplies.
Electricity from renewable resources for component and
vehicle manufacture
Between 2006 and 2019, the BMW Group was able to lower CO2
emissions from vehicle production by over 70 per cent. Compared
with 2019 levels, the amount of CO2 per vehicle is set to be
reduced by a further 40 per cent by 2025 and 80 per cent by
2030. Since 2020, electricity generated entirely from renewables
has been purchased externally for vehicle manufacture at all
plants in the BMW Group’s global production network. Only green
hydroelectric power produced locally at the Isar and Lech rivers
is used in the production of the BMW iX at BMW Group Plant
Dingolfing and in the upstream component plants.
The manufacture of high-voltage batteries is an
energy-intensive process. With a goal of minimizing the carbon
footprint in this area of vehicle manufacture, the BMW Group
has secured commitments from all makers of battery cells for
fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology to only use electricity
from renewable sources. The aluminum casings for the electric
drive system are manufactured using purely green power.
In order to further reduce the CO2 emissions from the
production of aluminum components, the BMW Group is exploring
new ways of sourcing this lightweight material. Since February
2021, the company has procured aluminum manufactured in the
United Arab Emirates with the help of solar power. Electricity
generated in a vast solar park located in the desert outside
Dubai is used for producing the lightweight metal. The BMW
Group plans to continue sourcing aluminum manufactured with
green energy over the long term, enabling it to reduce carbon
emissions by 2.5 million tons by 2030. The quantities of
aluminum acquired using solar power cover nearly half the
annual requirements of the light metal foundry at BMW Group
Plant Landshut, whose output includes the casings for the
latest-generation electric motors fitted in the BMW iX.
High proportion of recycled materials.
Besides the switch to green power, the other factor helping
to make the manufacture of light-alloy components more
sustainable in the BMW Group’s production network is the
ongoing increase in the proportion of secondary aluminum used.
Targeted use of recycling methods for this high-grade
lightweight metal can lead to a substantial reduction in the
energy-intensive use of primary aluminum, which also generates
high levels of CO2 emissions when conventional manufacturing
techniques are employed. The proportion of secondary aluminum
used in manufacturing the castings for the BMW iX is up to 50
per cent.
The cabin of the BMW iX xDrive50 features carefully
selected sustainable materials. The key elements here are
conservation of resources, energy efficiency in manufacture
and suitability for recycling. The only touch of chrome
anywhere in the interior is found in the BMW badge on the
steering wheel. The optional Clear & Bold specification
includes a control panel on the center console made from
sustainably grown wood with the corresponding FSC certification.
The Twist cloth forming part of the Loft Stone Grey
interior appointments is made of natural wool fibers, while
the leather upholstery is treated with olive leaf extract
instead of conventional tanning agents. This is obtained
from the leaves gathered following the annual pruning of the
trees in European olive groves.
The carpeting and floor mats in the BMW iX xDrive50 are
made from a synthetic yarn that is produced from recycled
nylon waste material in a specially developed process. The
source material for this includes fishing nets recovered
from the sea along with worn flooring and residual waste
from plastics manufacturing. These waste products are fed
back into the reusable material cycle at a special facility
in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana. For this, the material
is first broken down into its chemical constituents and then
processed to produce nylon granules. The resulting Econyl
material forms the basis for making the floor coverings and
mats in the BMW iX. As well as helping to preserve
resources, the use of Econyl also serves to reduce
climate-damaging emissions. The process for manufacturing
the recycled plastic emits around 80 per cent less CO2 than
conventional production of petroleum-based nylon.
High-quality recycled material is also featured in a
multitude of other components in the BMW iX. Recycled
material accounts for over 20 per cent of the thermoplastic
content in the vehicle. The substructure of the door
panelling, the cowl panel cover, the bumper guides and the
surround for the front bumper, for example, are all made
entirely from reused plastic. The cable ducts on the BMW iX
xDrive50 are manufactured using between 60 and 100 per cent
recycled plastic, while the tailgate panelling and the outer
surfaces of the door panelling are both made up of around 30
per cent recycled material. Each BMW iX contains some 132
pounds of recycled plastic in total.
5th Generation BMW eDrive Technology
Two high-efficiency electric motors driving four wheels
will deliver around 500 combined horsepower and
performance that owners have come to expect from their
BMWs. The high level of drive system efficiency and higher
density high-voltage batteries improve driving dynamics
and electric power consumption. The drive system and
battery technology in the BMW iX teams up with intelligent
lightweight construction and an aerodynamically optimized
design to create a package which delivers the sporting
ability, sustainability and impressive practicality for
which the brand is renowned.
The fifth generation of BMW eDrive technology is
centered around a drive unit which brings together the
electric motor, power electronics and transmission as a
highly integrated package within a single housing. This
design approach enables a power density around 30 per cent
greater than earlier electric drive systems could offer.
The highly integrated electric drive system is a key
factor in the efficiency of the BMW iX xDrive50. It also
allows a substantial reduction in the installation space
required relative to the power the drive system produces.
Electric motors: more performance, less reliance
on critical materials.
The BMW iX xDrive50 posts acceleration of 0 to 62 mph
in under 5.0 seconds with a top speed of an electronically
governed 124 mph.
The electric motors, developed in-house by the BMW
Group, have an efficiency factor of 93 per cent. The
specific qualities of these electric motors are the
result of a design which marks a fundamental departure
from the technology normally found in competitor units.
They work according to the principle of a
current-excited synchronous motor. The excitation of the
rotor in the BMW iX motors is not induced by fixed
permanent magnets, but the feed-in of electric energy.
This allows the rare earths required for magnetic
components to be entirely avoided in the manufacture of
the motors.
The precisely controlled excitation of the rotor
using electric power enables peak torque to be on tap
immediately on pulling away. And – unlike with electric
motors of conventional design – that torque is
maintained over an extremely broad rev band. The
defining trait of the driving experience on board the
BMW iX is power development that is not only lightning
fast but also consistent, underscoring the car’s
sporting capabilities.
Drive power from each electric motor is channeled via
a single-speed transmission – installed in the same
housing – to the front and rear wheels. As well as
improving the overall efficiency of the drive system,
this also enhances the agility, traction and directional
stability of the BMW iX xDrive50 to noticeable effect.
The centrally controlled electric all-wheel drive links
up with the chassis control systems to enable extremely
rapid and precise metering of power according to the
driving situation, the road conditions and the driver’s wishes.
Adaptive recuperation of energy.
The intelligently connected drive management means
the intensity of the brake energy recuperation can be
adapted to the road situation, as detected by data from
the navigation system and by the sensors of the driver
assistance systems. When approaching an intersection,
for example, the degree of recuperation can be
increased, while at the same time feeding energy back
into the high-voltage battery and strengthening the
deceleration effect.
On the open road, the coasting function enhances
comfort and efficiency whenever the driver takes their
foot off the accelerator. Adaptive adjustments according
to the driving situation are carried out when the
navigation system’s route guidance is not activated,
precise control of the adaptive recuperation enabling
instantaneous responses to changes in the driving
situation. For example, activating the turn signal while
coasting immediately initiates recuperation.
Adaptive recuperation is one of the standard
settings activated when D (Drive) is engaged.
Alternatively, the driver can choose a high, medium or
low Brake Energy Regeneration setting in the iDrive
menu to apply across all driving situations. In
position D, the new BMW iX xDrive50 pulls away at
minimal speed as soon as the brake pedal is released,
increasing comfort when maneuvering and in stop-start
traffic. And activating driving position B with the
selector lever generates the one-pedal feeling
characteristic of the BMW Group’s electric vehicles by
providing particularly strong recuperation.
High-voltage battery: optimized energy
density, increased range.
The fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology also
includes a high-voltage battery with state-of-the-art
battery cell technology. The gravimetric energy
density of the lithium-ion battery has been increased
by around 20 per cent gain over the
previous-generation battery and provides an excellent
mass to storage ratio. The latest generation of the
high-voltage battery also delivers excellent qualities
when it comes to performance, charging and
discharging, durability and safety. The high-voltage
batteries in the BMW iX xDrivce50 are cased in
aluminum and positioned low in the vehicle floor as an
integral component of the body.
The latest advances in the field of battery
technology are the result of many years of relentless
research and development work. The BMW Group has been
producing modules and batteries for vehicles with
electrified drive systems since 2013. The company can
call on immense reserves of expertise and experience
when it comes to both battery cell technology and the
manufacture of model-specific high-voltage batteries.
The BMW Group has carried out research in the fields
of cell chemistry and cell design, enabling it to give
precise specifications – geared to the particular
requirements of use in electrified vehicles – to
external battery cell producers.
The prismatic battery cells supplied by these
companies are grouped into modules at the assigned
BMW Group production plant. An independently
developed modular system enables flexible
arrangement of the modules in model-specific
high-voltage batteries. The BMW iX xDrive50 is
fitted with a battery with a gross energy content of
over 100 kWh.
A fully integrated liquid cooling system for the
high-voltage battery ensures optimal temperature
control both in highly dynamic driving situations
with a high-power requirement and when
rapid-charging from a direct current charging
station. In low outside temperatures, the excess
heat generated by the drive unit is used to warm up
the high-voltage battery while on the move.
Combined Charging Unit for fast charging at
up to 200 kW.
Alongside the new electric motors and the
optimized high-voltage batteries, new charging
technology is also part of fifth-generation BMW
eDrive. The Combined Charging Unit (CCU) in the BMW
iX xDrive50 enables an extremely high level of
flexibility when it comes to using charging stations
of different types. The CCU also supplies consumers
connected to the 12V on-board power supply of the
BMW iX xDrive50– such as the lighting, audio system
and air conditioning – with electric energy. It
brings together the functions of the voltage
transformer, charging electronics and power
distribution, plus the management systems for the
drive, high-voltage and charging functions of the
drive unit and high-voltage battery into a single package.
Topping up the high-voltage battery from a Level
2 home charger can be done at up to 11 kW. Using
this method, the BMW iX xDrive50 can recharge its
battery from totally empty to 100% in under eleven hours.
A significantly higher charging output and the
shorter charging times can be accessed by plugging
into a DC fast-charging station. The BMW iX xDrive50
can charge its high-voltage battery at up to 200 kW.
When hooked up to a DC charging station, the iX can
take enough energy on board in just ten minutes to
increase the car’s range by more than 75 miles. The
high-voltage battery’s charge can be increased from
10 to 80 per cent of its full capacity in under 40
minutes.
BMW Group in Canada
BMW Group Canada, based in Richmond Hill,
Ontario, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG
and is responsible for the distribution of BMW
luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity
Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI. BMW Group
Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW
Group Canada and offers retail financing and
leasing programs and protection products on new
and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles, as well as
retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW
Motorcycles. A total network of 51 BMW automobile
retail centres, 21 BMW motorcycle retailers, and
31 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across
the country.
For more information, please contact:
Marc Belcourt, Director, Corporate Communications
BMW Group Canada
905-428-5078 / marc.belcourt@bmwgroup.ca
Barb Pitblado, Manager, Corporate Communications
BMW Group Canada
905-428-5005 / barb.pitblado@bmwgroup.ca