Lagos — Eni and BMW Italia are launching a strategic collaboration across multiple areas, from energy solutions for mobility to customer experience.
The two companies have signed a Letter of Intent, LOI, to develop joint initiatives aimed at supporting the energy transition of the road transport sector.
In particular, this agreement seeks to integrate biofuels with an increasingly broad offering of electric mobility services. Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, HVO, the diesel biofuel produced by Enilive from 100% renewable raw materials, represents a solution already available that contribute to transport decarbonisation. Pure HVO can currently be used by validated engines and is distributed through existing infrastructure.
The agreement is framed within the current landscape of the mobility sector, which is undergoing a profound transformation. This significant shift, driven by the emissions reduction targets, impacts both automotive manufacturers and energy operators alike.
The Letter of Intent specifically concerns the development of initiatives based on three core pillars: fostering sustainable mobility rooted in the principle of technological neutrality and synergy among the different available solutions and energy vectors; implementing new proposals in the realm of biofuels and expanding electric mobility infrastructure, for example, by identifying potential areas in which to install new Plenitude On The Road recharging hubs with the aim of offering BMW’ s customers an increasingly widespread network.
The collaboration includes a potential test of Enilive’s HVO for BMW diesel engines and the realization of joint projects with Plenitude related to marketing initiatives and the development of electric charging networks.
Claudio Descalzi, CEO of Eni, commented: “Eni and BMW Italia, prominent leaders in their respective sectors, are pooling their technology and expertise to advance significantly towards the decarbonisation of transport. Our partnership exemplifies the synergy between energy players and industry, with the objective of fostering a supportive ecosystem capable of integrating research and technological development, market demand, and decarbonisation targets. To achieve a successful energy transition, it is crucial to combine efforts across the various economic and industrial sectors requiring decarbonisation, leveraging all available sustainable technologies and industrial initiatives.”
Massimiliano Di Silvestre, President and CEO of BMW Italia, commented: “Our approach has consistently been rooted in technological openness and in the commitment to decarbonisation through all available, highly efficient technologies. In this regard, we believe that employing biofuels such as pure HVO in diesel engines presents a significant opportunity.
“This applies equally to both our new BMW’s vehicles and the existing fleet of approximately 500,000 BMW in Italy, delivering immediate environmental benefits with up to a 90% reduction in GHG emissions. BMW has been ready for this technology since 2015, and we are proud to collaborate with Eni and Enilive to promote biofuels in the market. Furthermore, we continue our partnership with Plenitude in the electric vehicle sector, particularly regarding charging infrastructure and offering dedicated services to customers who opt for our electric mobility solutions”.
