MINI has been different from other brands from day one. The first MINI, conceived in the middle of the 1957 oil crisis, was a family car that offered maximum space and driving pleasure while minimising the use of materials and resources - even before anyone mentioned sustainability. In doing so, MINI demonstrated courage, inventiveness and optimism. Core values that MINI still consider extremely important today and have therefore been summarised in two words: BIG LOVE.
BIG LOVE for the Planet: the sustainability strategy of MINISustainability is more important than ever. That's why at MINI we focus on the design and development of our cars, the way raw materials are obtained and what we do with the cars when they reach the end of their useful life.
BIG LOVE for the People: celebrating differencesAt MINI, they are dedicated to people in all their diversity, to the ideas they have and to being open to these different perspectives. MINI is there for everyone to express who they are. It's no coincidence that we say "We are different, but pretty good together".
Sustainable with high standardsWhen it comes to sustainability, MINI accepts no compromises and sets itself challenging targets. For example, they want all cars to be fully electric from 2030. At BMW Group, where MINI is part of, they have meanwhile been working for a long time to develop sustainable electric cars (EVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). By 2020, MINI will have delivered around 193,000 electric cars, putting a total of almost 700,000 EVs on the road. On a daily basis, MINI strictly monitors compliance with the principles of its sustainability strategy:
But what do these four points mean when it comes to sustainable cars? The easiest way to find out is to read on.
The electricity used by the MINI factory in Oxford for the production of the MINI Electric comes from 100% green sources. The roof of the factory is equipped with 11,500 solar panels, which together cover an area of five football pitches. Moreover, not only this plant, but all 30 plants of the BMW Group use 100% electricity from renewable sources.
If you compare a MINI Cooper S with the MINI Electric, the first thing you notice is that the MINI Cooper S requires fewer environmentally damaging raw materials. On the other hand, an electric car is more environmentally friendly. This means that after 30,000 km, the MINI Electric is more environmentally friendly than the MINI Cooper S. When the MINI Electric is charged with green electricity, it is even more environmentally friendly after 19,000 km.
From the perspective of sustainability, MINI pays particular attention to the origin of the materials used and the standards of the suppliers for the MINI models. To ensure that the raw materials are obtained in a sustainable and socially responsible manner, a transparent supply chain is crucial. This goes from the production of the car to the origin of the materials. That is why they are constantly working to improve the efficiency and transparency of their supply chains. Since 2020, BMW Group has been sourcing cobalt and lithium for its batteries from Australia and Morocco, where the mines meet the highest sustainability standards.
The use of secondary raw materials has a positive influence on sustainable production. Not only does it reduce waste, it also lowersCO2 emissions- especially in the case of raw materials that have a high energy consumption in the production process, such as steel, aluminium and copper. Important secondary raw materials for the MINI Electric include plastic, aluminium, steel and copper. These are used throughout the BMW Group, by the way. Currently, up to 50 per cent secondary aluminium, 25 per cent secondary steel and 20 per cent secondary thermoplastics are processed. Of course, MINI is constantly working to increase these percentages in order to improve sustainability in the automotive industry.
Since March 2021, MINI owners can easily share their MINI with their family and friends. This is done via the MINI Sharing app which allows "guests" to reserve, open, lock and use the MINI.
This means that a group of friends living close together can use one MINI. With this new way of private car sharing, they share the cost of car ownership. Electric MINI models can also be easily shared by colleagues from the same company. The MINI Sharing app is very easy to use and has a simple reservation and agenda function.
BMW Group aims to become the most successful and sustainable premium manufacturer in the field of individual mobility. We will do anything to achieve this and work tirelessly to promote sustainable cars. We are delighted to be able to make this journey together with so many like-minded people!