BMW Group has reported promising results from three mobility pilots designed to make electric and hybrid vehicles more energy-efficient and reduce CO₂ emissions through digital nudges, trip insights, and gamified driving tools. The pilots, conducted in partnership with the City of Rotterdam and academic institutions, underline how data-driven mobility solutions can shape cleaner and more efficient urban travel.
The projects — My Travels, MINI Artwork Challenge, and COOL (CO₂ Optimal Charging) — were carried out with over 700 drivers of BMW and MINI electric and plug-in hybrid models across the Netherlands.
Trip Insights Reduce Short Car Journeys
The My Travels pilot tracked users’ trip lengths and suggested realistic alternatives such as walking, cycling, or public transport. Participants who actively engaged with the app reduced one car trip per week, with short trips (up to 5 km) dropping by 1.5 trips weekly, indicating that simple transparency about mobility choices can ease traffic pressure in dense cities.
Gamification Boosts Efficient EV Driving
BMW’s MINI Artwork Challenge used AI-generated artworks that evolved when drivers chose efficient driving mode. This gamified approach encouraged participants to increase efficient driving by 60%, contributing to an estimated 7% reduction in energy consumption — a meaningful gain for EV efficiency and range.
CO₂-Aware Charging Makes EVs Greener
The COOL study tested real-time alerts showing the CO₂ intensity of the electricity grid. When nudged, EV drivers shifted charging to cleaner timeslots, resulting in a 6% rise in CO₂-optimal charging sessions. Notably, 73% of drivers said they were willing to make extra effort to charge during low-emission windows.
Towards Smarter, Greener Cities
BMW and Rotterdam have collaborated since 2018 to develop urban mobility solutions integrating EVs more intelligently into city ecosystems. The new findings reaffirm that digital feedback, transparency, and light incentives can meaningfully influence mobility behaviour, reducing congestion and emissions.
BMW Group says the insights will help shape future user-centric mobility concepts that support both individual travel needs and sustainable urban planning.
