The shift to electric for the BMW Group seems a certainty after the German automaker invested a massive $1,7 billion into US facilities to accommodate EV and battery cell production. This is part of a roadmap to build six EVs in the USA by 2030.
A massive EV offensive can be used to describe the BMW Group in their bid for electrification. Along with the $1,7 billion investment in the US, the automaker has announced four additional battery cell factories for Europe and China, each with an annual capacity of 20 GWh.
The investment into US facilities for BMW includes a $1 billion upgrade for the existing Spartanburg facility while the leftover change of $700 million will go to building the new battery plant Woodruff, South Carolina – not too far away. This is a push to reach its roadmap goals of producing six electric vehicles within the USA by 2030 while the new 1 million square foot factory will create 300 jobs.
Related: Renault 4ever Trophy debuts as retro-inspired adventure EV
The factory will be responsible for producing round lithium-ion battery cells which are touted to have 30% more range with a production cost slashed in half. In addition, the denser cells could reduce charging times by as much as 30% while production is reliant on recycled material and renewable energy sources which reduce its carbon footprint for producing the component.
The existing facility in Spartanburg is currently responsible for the battery modules of the hybrid X3 and X4 models with 70 000 electrified units rolling off of the line by the close of 2021. The facility has the capacity for 450 000 units annually and employs over 11 000. The highly controversial BMW XM will be produced at this facility later on in the year but as the 2030 deadline for automakers looms, we can expect more major investments into electrification.
For more BMW News from CARmag.
