In an attempt to reduce its impact on the environment, Volvo has announced that from 2025, 25 percent recycled plastic will be used in the production of its cars. To illustrate the potential of raw material reduction, the automaker has already produced a one-off XC60 plug-in hybrid using recycled parts.
This one-off XC60’s centre tunnel console is made from renewable fibres and plastics taken from discarded fishing nets and ropes. The car's carpets contain fibres made from PET plastic bottles and a cotton mix created by recycling offcuts from clothing manufacturers. PET fibres were also used to produce the seat fabric and material from used car seats was used to make the sound-absorbing material under the car bonnet.
In January, Volvo also announced that the Skövde production site in Sweden had become carbon-neutral. The brand hopes that all of its facilities will follow suit by 2025. Last month, it committed to remove single-use plastics from all of its premises and events by the end of 2019.
“Volvo Cars is committed to minimising its global environmental footprint,” said CEO Håkan Samuelsson. “Environmental care is one of Volvo’s core values and we will continue to find new ways to bring this into our business. This car and our recycled plastics ambition are further examples of that commitment.”
Volvo is also investing heavily in electric technology in the face of skyrocketing demand for zero-emission vehicles, particularly in China, the home market of its parent company Geely. The firm recently announced its attempt at electrifying for 50 percent of its total sales volume by 2025.
Toyota is another major car manufacturer to recently announce emissions-fighting changes in its processes. The Japanese brand is producing a Megawatt hydrogen station to provide hydrogen cars, (such as the Mirai) passing through the Port of Long Beach in California with carbon-neutral energy.
Audi has also claimed that the production of its upcoming E-tron SUV will be completely carbon neutral, thanks to the use of renewable energy and offsets for its carbon output.
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Viraaj Bhatnagar
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Suraj Viswanathan
