BMW is a brand with a strong focus on driving enjoyment, even if the vast majority of its current offerings are less than class-leading in the fun department. BMW is trying to fix this by making sure the M Division stays away from electric vehicles for as long as possible. Excess weight ruins driving pleasure, but what about non-M cars? BMW as a whole needs to reduce its environmental footprint, just as every other major corporation must. So what's the solution? BMW has announced that it aims to produce more than seven million all-electric or hybrid vehicles by 2030.

Furthermore, "BMW Group now already offers the world's widest selection of premium automobiles with an electrified drive system." This applies mainly to the 7 Series and 5 Series sedans at the moment, with the X1 joining their ranks soon. BMW's ownership of Mini means that the British brand falls under the new plan too, with the Cooper SE. Obviously, a greater focus on all-electric vehicles like the BMW i3 paves the way for a cleaner future too, with the iX3 being proof that the i3 was more than just a figurative toe in the water for Munich's finest. However, the plan involves more than just electrified new offerings and refinement of existing products.

As we all know, batteries are expensive and dirty to produce. At one time, a Toyota Prius was more environmentally damaging than an old Land Rover Defender. However, with more experience comes a better way of doing things, and BMW says that a hybrid X1 will have a 55 percent smaller CO2 footprint over its lifetime than the equivalent gas-powered model. In addition, BMW Group is developing a "sustainable reusable material cycle for battery cells", along with other advances designed to make everything from production to disposal of electrified vehicles cleaner than ever. Even the production of BMW eDrive components is done under power from renewable sources. Bravo, BMW, bravo.