What once seemed like a far-fetched utopian idea is now reality. Fortunately for humanity, companies like BMW have steered us away from a Mad Max scenario of driving post-Apocalyptic guzzoline (Mad Max slang for petrol) vehicles, towards a very different one of climate-friendly electrified mobility.
We experienced the result of BMW’s commitment to an alternative, greener future. While test driving BMW’s flagship electric car through Cape Town’s city centre, and along Signal Hill, the iX’s quiet approach and streamlined, chic design caught the attention of multiple admirers. It’s that striking.
Why we need electrified mobility
Faced with the climate crisis, the motor industry has had to innovate carbon zero solutions that break its dependency on petrol and diesel. If we stay with fossil fuels, carbon emissions will continue to increase global temperatures to dangerous and uninhabitable levels. To avoid this, electric cars will need to depend on greener energy solutions, such as solar or wind powered alternatives, which can be renewed and thus offer an endless supply of energy without draining the earth’s resources.
BMW’s pledge for a better future
BMW has been driving the change towards green mobility for decades. As early as 1972, the emission-free and silent BMW 1602e drove ahead of athletes at the Summer Olympic Games for filming and water supplies. Five decades later, BMW brings its iX which is fully electric and emission-free. The luxurious interior makes use of natural and recycled materials – such as Econyl, recycled nylon made from ocean plastic. Beyond its growing electric car range, BMW has sustainability at the core of its brand values. Impressively, the car company has already switched to 100% renewable energy in its production plants and recycles 99% of its waste.
By 2030, BMW aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% across all its supply chains.
Practicalities
To enable ease of use, BMW has built fast charging stations across the country to provide a 120km range after just 10 minutes of charging. Several stakeholders, including BMW, ensured that South Africa ranked fifth globally in the ratio of public electric vehicle chargers to electric vehicles in 2020. Besides using these public charging stations, you can fill up at home and at work.
The fully electric BMW iX has a range of 600 km on full battery and extremely low energy consumption of not more than 23 kW/h. Its aerodynamic design and highly sophisticated electric motors gives the car instant torque, allowing you to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/hr in 4.6 seconds.
The iX car is fully kitted out with the technological intelligence BMW cars are known for, from assisted parking to heads-up display. The front dashboard is presented on a curved digital screen, and you can turn the volume up and down by using hand gestures – without touching a button. Magic. When you’re seated in the back area of the car, it feels like you’re in a lounge, ample leg room and very comfortable seating. Other features include the 500 litre boot capacity, voice control, sunroof and a Bowers and Wilkins sound system.
The drive is very quiet… almost silent compared to the sound of internal combustion engines.
About that grille…
Another feature of the future is the polyurethane coating on the BMW iX grille making it a self-healing surface. Small scratches and scrapes fade away after about 24 hours when left at room temperature.
Verdict
We had the privilege of taking the iX on the road, driving along Single Hill with views over the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain. It is a smooth, effortless drive, luxurious and… it’s green. We cannot say it better than editor of Stuff magazine Toby Shapshack: “The BMW iX is a beauty of a beast of a car. It is hands down the best car I have ever driven.”
- BMW is a sponsor of the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards 2021 presenting the Trans-seasonal category which was awarded to Fields
- Read more about BMW’s electromobility here
