Launches program for BMW ActiveE drivers to purchase renewable energy certificates
BMW and Green Mountain Energy Company have announced their partnership to offer drivers of the BMW ActiveE the choice to support renewable energy for their cars. The ActiveE drivers, known as “Electronauts,” now have the opportunity to purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Green Mountain to cover the estimated electricity that will be used to charge their electric vehicles (EVs).
“The partnership with Green Mountain is BMW’s next step to procure a sustainable mobility future for our ActiveE Electronauts,” said Rob Healey, EV Infrastructure Manager at BMW of North America. “We want to ensure all ActiveE drivers have the opportunity to source their energy needs from renewable generation, and this program is the perfect complement to BMW’s ActiveE solar offer. Based on their experience in renewable energy, Green Mountain is an ideal partner to support our mission.”
The ActiveE is an exclusive series driven by 700 Electronauts across five U.S. states. Each EV comes with a two-year lease and BMW uses the feedback from these drivers to develop premium, sustainable vehicles for the future.
As the world’s most sustainable automotive company, BMW offers more than just an emissions-free electric vehicle. BMW is now expanding the horizon of what electric mobility means by providing Electronauts with the resources to support clean energy with their cars.
“The majority of electricity in the U.S. is generated from non-renewable, fossil fuel sources, so EVs need to be powered with clean, renewable energy to be truly emissions-free,” said Scott Hart, president of Commercial Services for Green Mountain. “BMW is a thought leader in electric vehicle innovation, and their desire to ensure ActiveE drivers have the option to support renewable energy further demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainability.”
The generation of electricity from non-renewable, fossil fuel sources, such as coal, is one of the largest sources of carbon dioxide (CO2), a primary greenhouse gas. For a one-time payment of $48, ActiveE drivers can purchase RECs to ensure the estimated amount of electricity that will be used to charge their vehicle during the lease period is replaced with renewable energy. ActiveE drivers who power their vehicles with renewable energy for the estimated mileage usage will offset 9,900 lbs of CO2 during the course of their two year lease, the equivalent of not driving 11,000 miles in a conventional gas-powered car.
The BMW Group’s commitment to sustainability goes far beyond the automobile. In addition to this opportunity to purchase RECs from Green Mountain, Electronauts can take advantage of a separate BMW offer to further commit to a clean energy lifestyle. As of May 2012, Electronauts can install solar panels on their homes for a discount of approximately 35 percent. With this program, not only are customers receiving lower installation costs, but they are also capitalizing on the opportunity to power their homes – and their zero-emissions BMW ActiveEs – using clean, renewable solar energy. This solar program, along with the new partnership with Green Mountain, demonstrates BMW’s truly holistic approach to sustainable mobility.