The Sasol Solar Challenge proudly announced its partnership with BMW Group South Africa, further reinforcing the company’s unwavering commitment to demonstrating how technological progress is shaping future mobility.
As a global leader in e-mobility, the BMW Group was at the forefront of driving the future of clean energy vehicles and supporting initiatives that aligned with its ambitious climate goals.
BMW’s Commitment to Sustainability:
BMW Group’s involvement in the 2024 Sasol Solar Challenge was rooted in its mission to achieve climate neutrality across its entire value chain by 2050. In 2021, BMW Group became the first German automaker to join the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign, spearheading efforts to significantly reduce emissions and promote a circular economy.
“BMW, sustainability is at the core of everything we do," said Hailey Philander, BMW South Africa’s Group Automotive Communications Manager. "Through our ‘secondary first’ approach, we pioneered the use of recycled and reusable materials in our vehicles, reduced reliance on critical raw materials, and implemented eco-design principles to ensure our cars could be repurposed as raw materials at the end of their lifecycle."
Enhancing Brand Visibility Among Environmentally Conscious Consumers:
The 2024 Sasol Solar Challenge introduced an exciting new energy vehicle class, including Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) prototypes, which complemented the BMW Group’s commitment to technology openness.
"We were excited about the opportunity to showcase the future of mobility through this partnership," said Philander. "BMW’s first-ever series production fuel cell vehicle, slated for 2028, will mark a significant milestone in our collaboration with Toyota to promote hydrogen infrastructure. The inclusion of FCEV technology alongside battery-electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and internal combustion engines (ICE) reflected our open approach to providing customers with a wide range of sustainable mobility solutions."
Driving the Development of Hydrogen Mobility:
Through this partnership, BMW aimed to advocate for the development of hydrogen infrastructure and create a conducive framework for hydrogen mobility.
"Our goal was to help establish hydrogen mobility as a viable option alongside other powertrain technologies," added Hailey. "We used partnerships like this one to drive early-stage adoption and expand the hydrogen market. Collaboration was key, and we aimed to develop more local initiatives to promote hydrogen as a cornerstone of the future mobility ecosystem."
Supporting the Next Generation of Innovators:
BMW was also committed to nurturing the next generation of engineers and scientists who will help shape the future of sustainable mobility. The company adopted two schools in Soshanguve, Pretoria, namely; Ntsha-Peu Primary School and Lethabong Secondary School, near its Rosslyn plant, where employees lived and worked.
"Through our collaboration with UNICEF, we helped students aged 13 to 21 develop critical STEM skills that would prepare them for the workforce," said Philander. "By fostering a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, we supported the innovators who will lead tomorrow’s mobility solutions."
BMW’s Core Message for the 2024 Sasol Solar Challenge:
The BMW Group was committed to continuous and simultaneous progress through bold innovation and responsible action. The company aimed to inspire participants and spectators alike to embrace the future of e-mobility, knowing that the BMW Group was leading the way with over two million electrified vehicles delivered worldwide.
Takeaways for Spectators:
BMW Group South Africa’s presence at the 2024 Sasol Solar Challenge underscored the company’s leadership in e-mobility. "We wanted spectators to leave with a deeper understanding of BMW’s commitment to technology openness; from battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) to plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), we offered a range of solutions to meet the diverse needs of today’s consumers, all while driving towards a more sustainable future," Hailey Philander concluded.