As automakers continue to embrace digital innovation, many are developing dedicated apps to enhance vehicle connectivity, convenience, and user control. Among them are the BMW and MINI apps, which have recently been updated with a new feature that provides customers with insights into their vehicle’s carbon footprint.
The latest update introduces a new function within the app’s ‘My Trips’ feature, which calculates a vehicle’s total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This isn’t limited to the emissions from the exhaust, as it also accounts for emissions generated throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle, from production to daily use. The feature supports petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric models.
The feature uses two core databases for the calculation, and one of them is “emissions from vehicle use.” This is the energy used by a vehicle during daily drives. For ICE cars, it is calculated through the CO2 that is released.
However, calculating emissions for electric vehicles can be more complex. To address this, the app estimates emissions based on the average national energy mix and also provides a comparison showing how much lower the emissions would be if the vehicle were charged using green energy.
Furthermore, the feature also discloses the emissions produced during the vehicle’s manufacturing process. These include emissions from raw material processing, parts procurement, transport logistics, and the actual production of the specific model.
The BMW Group already provides emissions data for many of its models through Vehicle Footprint Reports, which are calculated in accordance with recognised life cycle assessment standards and certified by TÜV Rheinland. Another interesting feature in the app is the “Electric Vehicle Analysis” tool.
The tool is specifically designed for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle owners and becomes active once their vehicle reaches 2,000 km or 200 trips. It then provides a simulation showing how a selected BMW or MINI electric vehicle would align with their driving habits. The feature highlights which journeys could have been completed on a single charge and identifies charging stations near frequently visited destinations.
According to the company, this update will be available for selected models, which include the BMW 1 Series, 2 Series, X2, X3, 5 Series, 5 Series Touring, BMW M5, and BMW iX. As for the MINI models, it is available for the MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper C, MINI Aceman, and MINI Countryman.
For now, the new feature is available in selected European countries including Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. As for Malaysia, we have reached out to BMW Group Malaysia, asking whether it will be available locally and will update you once we receive a response.
(Source: BMW Press Release)
