BMW has loaned a fleet of all-electric BMW i3s to Selfridges in Manchester for the next three months as part of the department store's Material World initiative to encourage consumers to think more sustainably when shopping. Customers can choose to be chauffeured with their shopping free of charge by a BMWi Genius or get behind the wheel themselves.
The store is also celebrating the permanent installation of charging points within their car park as London looks to improve the charging infrastructure in high footfall locations plagued by poor air quality across the city.
As air pollution continues to rise at an alarming rate around the world and cities like Paris, Milan and Rome impose driving bans during the worst periods, Manchester is now also being urged by officials to implement similar rules with the possibility of introducing a congestion charge.
Big brands are now taking steps for change including the likes of leaders in sustainable innovation, BMWi and Selfridges. In recent months BMW’s all-electric i range has been used in a range of initiatives across the city to encourage sustainable driving solutions with the likes of DriveNow – the brand’s car sharing service, London’s police force and now as part of a complementary chauffeur service to Selfridges in London and Manchester.
The UK Government is committing £35 million to help install new chargepoints and offer new grants as it aims for nearly all cars and vans on UK roads to be zero emission by 2050.
Buying Better, Inspiring Change is an ongoing, store-wide sustainability programme that empowers the Selfridges teams across the UK to encourage best practice and drive improvements in responsible, ethical retail practice. During MATERIAL WORLD, Selfridges will engage established brands to tell their material stories and position provenance and production at the forefront of fashion retail.
From now until 9th April all shoppers can choose to be chauffeured with their shopping, completely free of charge, by a BMWi Genius to or from the Selfridges’ flagship store on Oxford Street and the Selfridges Manchester Exchange Square store, in a fleet of unique BMW i3s.
