BMW Club Queensland Blog

Are EVs already a thing of the past?

Thu, 11 May 2023 06:27:39 GMT

Built on the pre-facelifted BMW x5 model, the BMW ix5 hydrogen model is a glimpse into the future, a truly unconventional car that gives a conventional feel. Although the design element provides a staple BMW feel and comfort, its functionality and operational mechanisms are a look into the orbuculum.

And this new tech-savvy invention propels the question - are EV’s a thing of the past?

Are EVs Really Eco-Friendly?

EVs were once considered a futuristic invention. And BMW’s EVs and other EV brands like Tesla have convinced the world into believing this vehicle’s numerous merits with a keen focus on its eco-friendliness.

Although it is unfair to discredit EVs for being relatively eco-friendlier when compared to traditionally gas-run in terms of carbon footprint and greenhouse emissions, it is important to learn more about how they’re created and what kind of waste they produce that eventually contributes to our global environmental crisis at present.

To understand the hazards posed by a world-wide transition to EVs, it is important to take a deeper dive into fuel creation and consumption.

How Is Electricity for EVs Produced?

Non-Renewable Sources and Their Threats

It is important to remember that the electricity produced to supplement the EVs is produced mostly via burning black and brown coal at larger power stations, as declared by the Energy Department of Australia.

Let’s shed some light on the carbon footprint of Australians in general and emissions worldwide. One Australian produces 4x more carbon than an average individual in the world. 4 tonnes of carbon dioxide was released by an average Aussie in 2021.

The electricity used by EVs to fuel up is a HUGE contributor to this pollution. Although the intention is pure, its implications are more dangerous than we choose to acknowledge.

The promise of EVs for a safer and greener world therefore seems to shatter under the weight of its excessive carbon emissions and pollution.

Renewable Sources and Their Threats

On the flip side of the argument, many push forth the notion of transitioning from non-renewable sources like coal to renewable sources like solar power for fuel generation. In fact, Between 2020-2021, almost 10% of electricity was generated by solar power in Australia.

Solar panels, which are the spinal cord of solar energy, are typically made of a combination of lead, cadmium and mercury. These chemicals seep into the earth and basically evaporate into the atmosphere. The waste produced not just from these chemicals as well as the disposal of the solar panels is 300x more toxic than NUCLEAR WASTE.

Sure, using the sun to produce energy is a great idea. But the execution needs to be appropriate, which is unfortunately uncared for.

Since the proper disposal of solar panels costs way more than production, proper measures to safely dispose of the waste are not taken.

As a result, this waste gets dumped into poor, struggling third-world countries. The used up panels are dumped into the landfills of these deprived countries, which creates a heap of ‘green waste’.

According to scientists, there will be up to 8 million tons of green waste in the world and this number will hit the baffling figure of 80 million tons of green waste by 2050.

How Are EV Batteries Produced?

Let’s take a step back though.

Many pro-EV groups argue that eventually better means of disposal will emerge, allowing EVs to become truly as eco-friendly as they’re marketed to be.

However, it is important to understand how they’re created and what they comprise of.

Coming to the actual production of the EVs, it’s important to note what’s inside them. EV batteries are composed of thousands of lithium-ion cells. In order to produce these batteries, lithium needs to be mined.

According to The Guardian, Lithium mining causes:

Mass-scale water and land pollution
Ecosystem devastation
Disturbance to indigenous peoples and villages
Hazards to the environment as it requires gallons and gallons of water, while being mined in drought-stricken areas leading to water repletion

With EV batteries having lithium as their core component, it's critical to remember that it’s not always the usage but also the source that’s important to be eco-friendly.

Unfortunately, the production of EV batteries – without which the cars can’t run – is cause for alarm!

Analysing Hydrogen As A Better Alternative

With all this being said, it’s high time we start looking for better eco-friendly alternatives that do not jeopardise the future of our planet, such as hydrogen fuel-cell cars.

For this purpose, we’ll be assessing the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen Concept car and its merits as a potential substitute to EVs.

The iX5 hydrogen is based on the BMW iX, an all-electric SUV that was also revealed in 2021. However, instead of relying solely on a battery pack, the iX hydrogen uses a fuel cell stack to convert hydrogen into electricity, which powers the electric motor. The fuel cell stack is backed up by a small battery pack that stores excess energy and provides additional power during acceleration.

According to BMW, the iX hydrogen has a range of around 300 miles (500 kilometres) on a single tank of hydrogen, and can be refuelled in just a few minutes. However, it is important to note that the iX hydrogen is still a concept car and is not currently available for purchase.

BMW has not announced any plans to bring the iX hydrogen to market at this time. Comparing the range and refuel time with EVs, you come to realise what a miraculous invention the hydrogen model is, nonetheless.

Most people would talk about how there are so few hydrogen recharging stations whereas you can find charging stations for EVs literally anywhere. But just like EV charging stations were built, hydrogen charging stations can also be installed. In fact, BMW is even considering integrating a hydrogen refuelling system into the currently-available fuel stations to save costs.

The Key TakeAway

Hydrogen may still be a concept so far, yet it is the way forward. It's important to give BMW its due credit for reflecting upon the current climate crisis, and developing a highly functional hydrogen concept solution that could be integrated into our lives not too far into the future.

BMW Clubs Australia Nationals Show & Shine Video and Photos

Gary Schweikert — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 03:33:31 GMT

Click HERE for the video and HERE for the Photos

BMW 2023 Nationals Lakeside RX Automotive Sprint day 17th March

Gary Schweikert — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 23:59:11 GMT

Here is the LINK to the entire photographic record of the day supplied by Matthew Paul from MTR Images.

BMWCQ Club Meeting Videos

Gary Schweikert — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 00:25:24 GMT

Click HERE to see a library of BMWCQ Club Meetings videos over the

last few years.. Enjoy!

2017 BMW Clubs Australia Nationals in Queensland

Gary Schweikert — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 06:14:15 GMT

Click HERE to see the highlights of the 2017 BMW Clubs Australia Nationals held here in Brisbane, Queensland.

BMW Club Queensland YouTube Playlist

Gary Schweikert — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 04:56:10 GMT

Click HERE to see a variety of videos over the last few years.. 143 videos actually...Enjoy!

2022 Awards Presentation Year in Review

Gary Schweikert — Sun, 27 Nov 2022 01:00:00 GMT

Click HERE to see the

2022 Year in Review

Kingston Park GoKart Challenge 2022

Gary Schweikert — Sat, 04 Jun 2022 23:00:00 GMT

Video - Click HERE.

Driving the world's greatest BMW M cars

Gary Schweikert — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 13:05:53 GMT

Steve Sutcliffe, Auto Express takes to the track in eleven of the best BMW M cars in history.

Click HERE

McLaren F1 30th Anniversary Tour 2022 in Italy:

Gary Schweikert — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 01:27:31 GMT

"A couple of days ago I learned that the tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Mclaren F1 would be held in Northern Italy and I did everything I could to be present to record and see those amazing machines." Click HERE

The man behind the legend of the BMW M1 Procar!

Gary Schweikert — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 01:25:13 GMT

The BMW M1 Procar — and the man behind the legend: Fritz Wagner! The mechanic behind multiple beautiful Procar variants, Herr Wagner built these stunning models with only used components he bought himself. And he’s got big plans for the future of the M1 too!

Click HERE

The Colours of ///M

Gary Schweikert — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 01:16:38 GMT

An interesting background on the ///M colours.. Click HERE

YouTube Club Videos

Gary Schweikert — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 03:33:54 GMT

Click this LINK to our library of recent Club event videos.

This LINK is to older club videos

Also, here is a LINK to all of our Club Meetings

BMWCQ Country Members Zoom Meeting

Gary Schweikert — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 03:02:25 GMT

On Tuesday 9th November 2021 we held our first BMW Club Queensland Country members Zoom meeting. We had a number of committee members, country members and the Chair of BMW Clubs Australia, Garry Smee drop in to make sure everything was happening the way it should. We had a spread of 2,250 kilometres from Kewerra Beach in the north to Port Macquarie down south and out as far west as Inverell.

Keep your eye out for further meetings like this as there were some great ideas put forward from our far-flung members. Thanks all.

Click HERE for a replay of the Zoom Video

How to fix the BMWCQ Website HOME PAGE display on your mobile

Gary Schweikert — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 07:51:42 GMT

Click on this link: How to clear website data.mov

Wild Apricot for Members

Gary Schweikert — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 23:51:56 GMT

Now that we do not issue a physical membership card annually, we need a way for you to prove that you are a current member. Our club software system is very comprehensive and provides a mobile version so that important information is with you all the time in the form of a mobile app. Heres how to use it.

Go to your app store and search Wild Apricot.

The one you want is called "Wild Apricot for Members"

Download it, then open it. You use the SAME log in credential that you use to log into the BMWCQ web page on your desktop computer, they are the same.

When the app launches, you will see three (3) tabs at the bottom of the page, one for upcoming events, then My tickets, thats what you have booked for, then My profile.

This is the one you want so you can see your membership card is MY CARD.

This will show you your name, membership number, when you joined , when your membership is due and what your membership level is. Any problems with this contact me (president@bmwcq.com.au) or the membership officer (membership@bmwcq.com.au)

Members How To .... Cancel your registration to an Event

Gary Schweikert — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 03:34:58 GMT

A question was asked today "How do I cancel my registration to an event on the website?"

I must admit, I didn't know. Now I do!

Here is how to do it...

1: Log onto the website and click on your name to open "My Profile"

2: Click on "My event registrations"

3: Click on the date field below the event name

4: Click on "Cancel Registration"

5: Click the "Cancel Registration" button

There you go.. If all else fails, check the contact page and ring the relevant committee member or me, the president..

Thanks Gary

September 2020 SkidPan @ Mt Cotton

Gary Schweikert — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 06:13:46 GMT

Mt Cotton Skid Video Pan HERE

BMW Club Queensland Video Compile

Gary Schweikert — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 07:09:28 GMT

We have created a channel on Vimeo where we keep all of the videos from the recent past for everyone to find. Happy browsing..

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEOS

Scenic Rim Run June 2020 - After Lockdown

Gary Schweikert — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 05:18:04 GMT

VIDEO HERE PHOTOS HERE Sunday, 28th June, 2020 was the day we held our first post-Covid lockdown social drive for BMW Club Queensland. Thanks to the great work of our drive coordinator, John Tait, we were able to structure the drive within the guidelines of the stage 2 rules.

There were 3 groups, maximum of 20 people per group, separated by an hour on the road. We headed west from Dinmore to south to Lake Moogerah for a short stop, then onto Boonah where we all split up to find lunch or have a picnic. It felt a bit strange not gathering at the end, but it was great to get out onto the road, even if there was a short section of roadworks and MUD...John Tait!

First Event after Lockdown .. Mt Cotton Skid Pan

Gary Schweikert — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 01:25:49 GMT

The first event for BMW Club Queensland after the easing of Covid restrictions was a Skid Pan session held at the RACQ Mobility Centre of Excellence at Mt Cotton on Saturday 13th June 2020.

To maintain the safety of all participants, we were limited with numbers, so we ran two session of only seven vehicles.

Thanks to Denis Weisz, our motorsport director for organising the day and our host Joel Neilsen, from Sports Driver Training for running the event.

A special thank you to Maclaren Lamont for sharing his drone vision with us.

Watch the Video HERE

Who is...John Tetley

Gary Schweikert — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 06:27:00 GMT

Who is....

As you all would be aware, our normal has been thrown out the window which was evident by the cancellation of last Fridays meeting. We had planned to have John Tetley, Queensland Raceways CEO there as our guest for the evening.

So, to keep the communication and information happening, we have decided to create a number of interview style videos with people who are significent to our club.

The first of which is John Tetley, hosted by Greg Tymms. We hope you enjoy the first of our series.

BTW, we will be looking for people to talk to so if you have any suggestions, please let us know.

Please click HERE to view the video.

If you missed our FaceBook Live meeting replacement, HERE it is.

And Februarys Bimmer Monthly HERE..

More updates to come regarding future events etc...

BMWCCA 50th Anniversary Oktoberfest

Gary Schweikert — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 23:31:10 GMT

Every year, BMW Car Club America holds one of the biggest parties for BMW Enthusiasts. For its 50th anniversary, it was held in Greenville, South Carolina where there were car giveaways, cars and coffee, time distance rallies, track day at the BMW Performance Centre, BBQ, and so much more.

There were a group of six members of BMWCQ who travelled to the USA to help celebrate their 50th. We were made very welcome and were invited to be guest judges at their Show of Excellence..Check out our recap of the entire week!

Flashback February at Brisbane BMW

Gary Schweikert — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 22:31:36 GMT

On Monday this week, we took two special cars into the Brisbane BMW showroom in Fortitude Valley to support an event they are promoting. Flashback February is designed to highlight the heritage and history of the marque. There are all sorts of magnificent new cars on display there, but the whole showroom stopped and grabbed their phones to take photos when the Isetta drove in, followed by the E9 Alpina replica..

These two cars will be on show until next Monday 24th, when we will change them over to two early ///Ms, a very special E24 M6 and ///My E36 M3. That week will obviously be based around BMW Motorsport.. If you get a chance, drop in and have a look and promote the club.

Daytona Rolex 24h 2020. More Than A Race

Gary Schweikert — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 03:31:59 GMT

From Our Aussie Abroad - Ian Branston:

Most, if not all of us, will have attended some form of sporting event. It may have been tennis, soccer, football, cricket or all of the above, but at the end of the day there was usually a winner and a loser. In the moment of the event you can leave with a feeling of bitter defeat or the elation of success. However, over time these feelings get buried in our day to day lives and what we are often left with is not “the result” but the memory of being there. In other words – the experience.

I have been fortunate enough to have participated in, or been a spectator, at numerous motorsport events all over the world – Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the US. What sticks in my mind as I recall these events always relates to my experience and not necessarily involves who won. Perhaps a reflection of the number of brain cells I have killed but let’s continue.

The experience angle is perhaps why I am such a fan of long distance racing. The spectacle of being riveted to my seat for a sprint race or an F1 battle is certainly enjoyable, but my memories more often than not always defer to what I did or who I met rather than who won. In addition, longer races give me the chance to do more than just watch the cars on track. It gives me the chance to wander the pits, change viewing points, meet friends and go to other behind the scenes activities on offer.

And so to the Rolex 24 hour at Daytona in 2020. Not only a back to back win for BMW Team RLL, but this was a race that was a battle for hour after hour with the last laps just as exciting as the first and a whole lot of stuff in between. The result was unmistakably fantastic but my long term takeaways or impressions go well beyond the on track activity.

The late night and early morning sights and sounds are my favourite. Obviously the sound of the cars ripping down the log straights get my attention but a late night stroll through the infield provides sights and sounds all of their own. Wood smoke from all the fire pits, the sound of numerous parties among the sea of RVs combined with the back drop of the cars creates an incredible atmosphere.

Watching the sunrise across the infield is always special, especially when you realize the race is far from over and there is still plenty of time to swap stories and meet with friends. Another thing that never ceases to amaze me is the generosity and approachability of the teams, drivers and owners during the pre race garage visits. It’s always great to hear from the drivers themselves about their expectations, for the race and the season. With the Bathurst 12 hour following soon after the Daytona race several drivers are always very keen to chat about Mt Panorama or their previous experiences at Bathurst. If they have not raced there its very apparent they all want to!!

This year, during our visit to the Turner Motorsport garage, we were given an intriguing insight into the strategic planning side of the race from Don Salama. Add this to some very excited drivers (Bill Auberlen, Augusto Farfus and John Edwards spring to mind) who were all eager to get racing but still had the time to chat and share stories and the garage visits remain a favourite and provide lasting memories. In fact this year, I was so interested in listening to stories (and getting models signed) I totally forgot to take the obligatory selfies!! No worries, I’ll catch most of them at the season finale at Road Atlanta.

In the meantime, if you are eager for another long distance race, not quite as long as Daytona, there is always Sebring in mid March. And that provides to a 4 hour race along with a 10 hour and a 12 hour. One day I to get the chance to experience this 3 race marathon.

USA BMW CERTIFIED CLASSIC CENTRES

Gary Schweikert — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 13:37:01 GMT

Today, there are over 300,000 BMWs assembled more than 20 years ago that are still on the road in the US. Across the country and around the world, BMW in America has established a network of select BMW Certified Classic Centres. A Certified Classic Centre uses only 100% Original BMW Parts and BMW approved equipment. All parts come with a two-year, unlimited mileage limited warranty. Senior Technicians bring unparalleled knowledge and expertise, having received special factory training for BMW Classic vehicles. Technical and archival support from BMW Group headquarters in Germany assures that your Classic will always get the very best care available.

ORIGINAL BMW PARTS.

There are over 40,000 Original BMW Parts for models dating back from the rare 1955 Isetta through all vehicles out of production for the past 20 years. Each BMW Original Part is created to the highest standards and quality, using original tools and production machines, and then undergoing testing before leaving the factory.

CERTIFIED CLASSIC SUPPORT.

To qualify as a BMW Certified Classic Centre, our parts specialists and technicians complete specialized factory training, and use only BMW approved tools and equipment to ensure your Classic gets authentic and expert care. For an additional fee, a BMW expert will travel from Germany to perform an analysis of your vehicle. You’ll receive a BMW Certified Classic vehicle report with your BMW’s condition and individual history to confirm its originality, making it easier for you to determine its market value.

Amazing Facts about the Next BMW EV Car

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 04:13:58 GMT

Electric cars today are already somewhat a mainstay of the roads on countries such as China, USA, Japan and much of Europe. The trend today is that automakers are making electric vehicles that soon will no longer be just a trend, Electric Vehicles or EV’s will be only cars, like Gas Powered or Internal Combustion Engine cars are today. The electric effect is now in full force, with established brands committing to offering a wider range of pure electric vehicles in the future, while those who depend heavily on diesel are seeing sales falter.

BMW Electric Vehicles

As for electric vehicles on BMW, first to be launched according to plans would be the EV Mini Cooper this year, SUV type BMW iX3 will launch in 2020, then in 2021 the BMW iNEXT and BMW i4. By that time, they already have released their four core electric vehicle models that emphasize their commitment to future mobility.

BMW i4 looks a lot like a 4 Series Grand Coupe

The i4 looks a lot like a standard 4-series Gran Coupe, according to the design director the BMW EV’s will look closer to the cars we have already in the market today. With i4 it looks a conventional sedan type of vehicle only that it is fully electric powered, it is a four-door coupe belonging to the premium mid-range class.

BMW i4 Tech Specs

It has a two electric motors, all-wheel drive and torque vectoring also has the Fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology which means this model will rely on the so-called Generation 5 battery pack, which is significantly smaller than its predecessors. The modular architecture of the model will be shared with other upcoming EVs from BMW, offering front-, rear-, and all-wheel-drive layout, depending on the vehicle type. Which means the electric motor, transmission, and electronics will sit on the front or rear axles, or both in AWD configurations. There will be an 80kWh battery that will charge at 150kW and give a range up to 370 miles. The motors will produce 530bhp, giving a 0-62mph time of 4 seconds and a top speed of 125mph.

The consensus on electric vehicles is that the buyers/customers don’t seem to care much about futuristic or out of this world design, they prefer the conventional-looking car electric version that combines a dynamic design with inspiring performance and a high level of ride comfort. BMW will begin building the i4 in its hometown of Munich, Germany, in 2021, meaning the model might not arrive in American showrooms until the 2022 model year.

Welcome to the new BMW Club Queensland

Fri, 08 Jul 2016 11:29:30 GMT

We are pleased to announce that www.bmwcq.com.au is back up and running. Thanks to some hard work by club member Duane Thompson, Membership Officer Michael Blankenberg and Club Captain Dave Ross, we have now transitioned over to Wild Apricot Membership Software.

The guys have worked hard behind the scenes for the last three weeks getting this together, and it appears they’ve done a good job.

It’s early days yet, so we haven’t got all events loaded, but feel free to check it out.

I’d like to take this opportunity to also thank Will Hackett and Firelabs for their ongoing support over the last two and a half years. Although the MyClub base ultimately did not work for us, they tried hard to address our issues and assisted us with the transition to make it relatively painless.

Kind regards

Ian Solomon

President

BMW Club Qld.

40 Years of ///M Cars

(Past member) — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 03:00:25 GMT

2017 M2 Review

(Past member) — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 23:38:04 GMT

Read the full article here

Review: 2016 BMW 3 series - best driver's car

(Past member) — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 22:02:49 GMT

Read the full article here