BERLIN—BMW is exploring new investments in solar, geothermal, and hydrogen energy to lower its dependence on natural gas, the carmaker’s production chief told Reuters on Monday, warning an embargo on Russian gas would bring the industry to a standstill.
The carmaker, which relied on natural gas for 54 percent of its energy consumption in 2021, is examining where it can add solar panels to its plants and developing plans with local authorities to transport hydrogen to its plant in Leipzig, Germany.
“Hydrogen is very well-suited to lower or even fully compensate for gas demand,” Milan Nedeljkovic said.
“Our industry accounts for around 37 percent of German natural gas consumption,” he said when asked what would happen to BMW’s plants in the event of a halt to gas deliveries from Russia. “Not just BMW but the entire sector would come to a standstill.”…