BMW's first commercially available EV represented a challenge for the assembly plant because they had to adapt to new materials and production processes.

This is the first time that carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) has been used in automotive series production. The entire body of the BMW i3 is made from (CFRP).

“We require 50 percent less energy and 70 percent less water, and source the electric energy for production of the BMW i models CO2-free from the wind turbines at the plant,” said BMW production chief Krüger.

Around €400 million ($534 million) was invested in retooling of the Leipzig plant, with 800 new jobs also being created.

The first BMW i3 that rolled off the assembly line will serve as the lead car for the International Berlin Marathon on September 29. It was handed over to German marathon runner Jan Fitschen.