BMW has announced a new 2035 climate target, aiming to reduce lifecycle CO₂e emissions by at least 60 million tonnes compared with 2019 levels — an ambition that goes 20 million tonnes beyond its existing 2030 goal. The move forms part of the company’s broader plan to reach net zero no later than 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement.
The new milestone marks a significant expansion of BMW’s decarbonisation trajectory. The company’s previous target sought to cut at least 40 million tonnes of CO₂e across scopes 1, 2 and 3 by 2030. Under the updated roadmap, BMW expects the carbon intensity of its business model to fall sharply: by 2035, each euro of value created will be associated with less than half the CO₂e emitted in 2019.
BMW says the stepped-up ambition reflects its commitment to reducing emissions across the full vehicle life cycle — from supply chain to production to use phase — irrespective of powertrain type. The company notes that demand for electric vehicles alone will not be enough to meet its climate goals.
Key measures include increased use of renewable energy in manufacturing and throughout the supply chain, greater reliance on secondary raw materials, efficiency improvements across all vehicle subsystems, and innovations in products and processes. BMW’s technology-neutral approach will continue to advance improvements across combustion, hybrid and fully electric models.
The company is placing particular emphasis on high-emissions components such as high-voltage batteries, aluminium and steel, and plans to deploy its sixth-generation battery technology (Gen6) to reduce embedded emissions. In production, BMW sources 100% renewable electricity from external suppliers — a practice in place since 2020 — and is phasing out fossil fuels entirely. Its new Debrecen plant in Hungary will be the company’s first to operate without oil or gas in standard production.
During the use phase, BMW is implementing additional efficiency measures under its EfficientDynamics programme. The forthcoming BMW iX3, for example, will consume up to 20% less energy (WLTP combined) than its predecessor.
BMW cautions that achieving its 2035 target will also depend on external developments, including the steel sector’s shift to lower-carbon production, expansion of charging infrastructure, progress in circular-economy systems, and advances in battery-cell technologies. The company continues to invest in these areas through in-house battery R&D and its circular-economy initiatives.
