• 3,122 strong vehicle fleet to keep the Games moving
• Includes new EU6 emissions compliant vehicles
• Fleet average CO2 of 116g/km

BMW is to provide over 3,000 vehicles in its role as Official Automotive Partner to the 2012 London Olympic Games.

From transferring athletes around the Olympic Village, towing horse ambulances or providing a mobile camera platform, a variety of different BMW and MINI cars will be on hand to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Fleet CO2 emissions for the games had been set at an ambitious 120g/km by the Games’ organisers, but thanks to a combination of zero emission electric vehicles, hybrids and Efficient Dynamics diesels, the BMW fleet CO2 average is 116g/km, equating to 64.5mpg.

The bulk of the fleet will be made up of BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics, of which there will be 1,550 transporting officials and doctors, as well as acting as command and route management cars.

They will be joined by 700 520d Efficient Dynamics, which will be used solely in transfer and shuttle roles.

More specialist vehicles such as the X3 and X5 4×4s will support sailing and equestrian events, with their towing capacity useful for removing boats from the water and transferring mobile medical stations.

The MINI E and BMW 1-series ActiveE electric vehicles are suited for short distance urban use and have therefore been selected as venue support cars, with some being reserved for media use.

Over 400 BMW bicycles are also being provided, for use by team coaches and officials following water based races such as rowing.

Richard George, Transport Director for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, said: “From motorcycles to electric vehicles and 4×4s, the requirements of the 2012 fleet are hugely diverse. It was vital that our partner could deliver a one-stop shop solution and meet our sustainability targets. BMW has surpassed our requirements and we are delighted to be working with them.”

BMW has even aided with the development of the Olympic torch, with the company’s Munich test facility being used to test its operation in a variety of different weather conditions and temperatures, including the traditional British summertime weather: driving rain.

By Daljinder Nagra

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