BMW Is a Surprise Winner in Electric Vehicles
BMW Is a Surprise Winner in Electric Vehicles The New York Times
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BMW’s Approach to Electric Vehicles
As BMW car bodies glided down an assembly line in Munich recently, showered by sparks from robotic welders, it was hard to tell which vehicles would be powered by batteries, fuel-burning engines or both. In the view of many analysts, that is not a good thing.
The German automaker’s electric vehicles are made on the same assembly line as gasoline cars and look similar from the outside. That approach, using the same basic body for electric, hybrid, gasoline and diesel cars, has been viewed as an awkward and inefficient compromise some established carmakers have deployed as they struggle to compete with Tesla and emerging Chinese automakers that produce cars designed solely for battery power.
But confounding the pundits, BMW’s strategy has paid off. The company sold 376,000 electric vehicles last year, including some under its Mini brand, a 75 percent increase from the previous year. In the luxury segment, BMW was second only to Tesla, which remained dominant with 1.8 million cars. Electric vehicles accounted for 15 percent of BMW sales in 2023, up from 9 percent the previous year.
The company’s growth comes as sales of electric vehicles have risen at a slower pace overall around the world. What is even more surprising is that BMW, unlike General Motors or Ford Motor, made a profit on the electric vehicles it sold.
BMW’s experience suggests there is hope for at least some established carmakers as Chinese carmakers like BYD start to export cars to other Asian countries, Europe and Latin America. As electric vehicles move into the mainstream, the popularity of BMW cars suggests that many buyers prize the familiarity and workmanship of longstanding carmakers and remain wary of newer brands.
If so, BMW’s approach could show a path to other automakers that have been manufacturing automobiles for decades but have made little headway in the transition to battery-powered vehicles.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the growth of BMW’s electric vehicle sales and their approach to manufacturing electric vehicles alongside traditional gasoline cars. This is connected to SDG 7, which focuses on promoting affordable and clean energy, including the use of electric vehicles. It is also connected to SDG 9, as it involves innovation in the automotive industry and the development of infrastructure for electric vehicles. Additionally, the article mentions the transition to battery-powered vehicles, which relates to SDG 11’s goal of sustainable cities and communities. The production of electric vehicles also aligns with SDG 12’s aim of responsible consumption and production. Finally, the article mentions the rise of electric vehicles in response to climate change concerns, linking it to SDG 13’s focus on climate action.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable.
- SDG 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities.
- SDG 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
Based on the article’s content, the targets identified include increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (SDG 7.2), upgrading infrastructure and retrofitting industries to make them sustainable (SDG 9.4), reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities (SDG 11.6), achieving sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (SDG 12.2), and integrating climate change measures into national policies (SDG 13.2).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Percentage of electric vehicles sold compared to total vehicle sales
- Percentage increase in electric vehicle sales year-on-year
- Profitability of electric vehicle sales
The article mentions that electric vehicles accounted for 15 percent of BMW’s sales in 2023, up from 9 percent the previous year. This percentage can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards SDG targets related to the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (SDG 7.2), upgrading infrastructure for sustainable industries (SDG 9.4), and reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities (SDG 11.6). Additionally, the article states that BMW made a profit on the electric vehicles it sold, indicating progress towards SDG targets related to sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (SDG 12.2) and integrating climate change measures into national policies (SDG 13.2).
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | – Percentage of electric vehicles sold compared to total vehicle sales |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable. | – Percentage of electric vehicles sold compared to total vehicle sales |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities. | – Percentage of electric vehicles sold compared to total vehicle sales |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. | – Profitability of electric vehicle sales |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | – Profitability of electric vehicle sales |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: nytimes.com
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