Free travel for climate-friendly electric cars on motorways?Bild: Shutterstock
BMW is advocating for privileges such as access to city centers, free parking, or dedicated lanes on highways for electric vehicles.
Jennifer Buchholz / t-online
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BMW’s Production Director Milan Nedeljković is seeking preferential treatment for electric vehicles in traffic to stimulate demand. “For instance, special access to inner cities, free parking, or dedicated lanes on the highway,” he told the “Münchner Merkur”: “If you find yourself stuck in traffic, constantly being overtaken by electric vehicles, many may indeed consider making the switch.”
Such advantages would serve as an alternative to the EU’s planned ban on new climate-damaging cars starting in 2035. State subsidies for purchases would also lack long-term viability, according to Nedeljković.
The proposal for a dedicated lane for electric vehicles isn’t new. A year ago, the government discussed implementing similar preferential treatments for environmentally friendly vehicles. This lane could also accommodate high-occupancy vehicles to enhance their efficiency compared to single-occupancy cars. This concept has already been successfully adopted in the USA.
One million cars from German BMW plants in 2024
Despite challenges facing Germany as a location, BMW production within the domestic market continues to surge: “We will manufacture over a million cars in Germany this year,” announced the board. Last year, BMW produced 936,000 cars in Dingolfing, Munich, Regensburg, and Leipzig, 729,000 in China, and 411,000 in the USA. Globally, the total was 2.66 million.
Over the past five years, the company has invested five billion euros in its German facilities, stated Nedeljković. These plants remain profitable. “However, it is clear that competition is becoming increasingly challenging at our home base.” The reasons include bureaucracy, costly energy, and high operational costs. The industry also requires a solid road network, a dependable railway system, and robust digital infrastructure.
The BMW iX1 will be one of the best-selling electric cars in Switzerland in 2024.image: bmw
BMW tests humanoid robots
Consequently, the company is increasingly focusing on innovations abroad. For instance, it is testing a humanoid robot in its car production. At the Spartanburg plant in the United States, the humanoid robot Figure 02 successfully handled sheet metal parts in the body shop during a trial that lasted several weeks. Production Director Milan Nedeljković remarked: “The advances in robotics are promising. With an early trial run, we are currently examining the potential applications of humanoid robots in production.”
The BMW production chief also criticized EU plans to calculate a company’s CO₂ footprint for battery production based on the electricity mix of the entire country. This approach would disadvantage companies like BMW that are investing in green electricity: “Our CO₂ footprint would then be assessed using the German electricity mix, which includes coal-fired power. This would severely distort our performance metrics on paper,” said Nedeljković.
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Free Travel for Climate-Friendly Electric Cars on Motorways?
Free travel for climate-friendly electric cars on motorways?Bild: Shutterstock
BMW Production Director Milan Nedeljković is advocating for significant changes in road traffic policies to give electric vehicles (EVs) a clearer advantage. His proposals include measures such as:
- Privileged access to city centers
- Free parking for electric vehicles
- Dedicated lanes on highways for EVs
This initiative aims to encourage more consumers to switch to electric cars, especially during heavy traffic conditions where EVs can pass by traditional combustion vehicles.
Climate-Friendly Incentives and Regulations
Nedeljković suggests that changing road usage policies is a viable alternative to the EU’s proposed ban on the sale of new internal combustion vehicles starting in 2035. He points out that state purchase premiums for electric vehicles may not bring long-term results.
Increased Demand Through Electric Vehicle Lanes
The idea of creating special lanes for electric and hydrogen vehicles has been discussed previously; these lanes could also include carpool vehicles, which promote efficient usage. Cities across the USA have successfully implemented similar policies, showcasing their effectiveness in promoting carpooling and electrification.
The BMW iX1 will be one of the best-selling electric cars in Switzerland in 2024.image: bmw
BMW’s Electric Vehicle Production in 2024
Despite facing criticism as a manufacturing hub, BMW is on track to increase production significantly in Germany. According to the board, the company plans to produce over a million vehicles on German soil this year. Last year, BMW’s production figures included:
| Location | Production Numbers |
|---|---|
| Dingolfing | 936,000 |
| China | 729,000 |
| USA | 411,000 |
| Total Worldwide | 2.66 million |
BMW has invested around five billion euros in German facilities over the past five years, highlighting their importance for profitability despite increasing competitive challenges.
Innovation and Robotics in Production
BMW is also exploring innovations such as the use of humanoid robots in production lines. At their Spartanburg plant in the US, a humanoid robot named Figure 02 has successfully tested operational tasks involving metal sheet placement in car body production. Milan Nedeljković stated, “The developments in robotics are promising. We are assessing their potential applications in our production lines.”
Critique of EU’s CO₂ Footprint Calculations
Nedeljković has expressed his concerns regarding EU policies that would calculate a company’s CO₂ footprint based on the overall electricity mix of a country. This could disadvantage companies like BMW, which invest in green energy solutions, as their environmental credentials would be judged unfairly due to higher carbon outputs from non-renewable energy sources.
Benefits of Electric Vehicles and Proposed Changes
Transitioning to electric vehicles not only aligns with global climate goals but also offers a multitude of benefits:
- Reduced emissions and improved air quality
- Lower fuel and maintenance costs
- Enhanced driving experiences with advanced technology
- Potential for long-term savings with government incentives
Practical Tips for EV Owners
If you’re contemplating the switch to an electric vehicle or already own one, consider these practical tips to optimize your experience:
- Charge your vehicle during off-peak hours to save on electricity costs.
- Utilize public charging stations as needed, especially during long trips.
- Keep your software updated to benefit from new features and efficiencies.
- Regularly monitor your battery health and maintain appropriate charging practices.
Case Studies: Success Stories of EV Implementation
Various cities across Europe and the USA have showcased successful integrations of electric vehicle infrastructure:
- California: The introduction of high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes for electric cars increased EV adoption rates significantly.
- Amsterdam: A city-wide initiative for charging points led to a marked rise in electric vehicles, supported by government incentives.
- Germany: Innovations in integrated public transport systems with electric buses have reduced urban pollution.
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