There are many new factors consumers consider when owning their next vehicle. Sustainability and eco-friendly products and processes are a hot topic and can been seen throughout the automotive industry. A number of OEMs are leading the charge on this.
By 2030, Volvo cars will be both fully electric but also leather-free, in a new animal welfare commitment from the Swedish manufacturer.
Volvo will aim for 25% of all materials on new cars to be recycled and bio-based, in addition to the goal of ensuring all immediate suppliers use 100% renewable energy by 2025.
“Being a progressive car maker means we need to address all areas of sustainability, not just CO2 emissions,” said Stuart Templar, Volvo’s director of global sustainability.
Volvo is also trying to find alternatives to other materials connected to livestock production such as plastics, rubber, lubricants and adhesives.
Moves like this will always have a mixed reaction from the general public. However actions like this will trigger a waterfall effect across the industry and that can only be a good thing from an overall sustainability perspective.
The Swedish automaker’s move toward leather-free interiors is driven by concerns surrounding the negative environmental impacts of cattle farming, including deforestation. To combat this, Volvo Cars will offer future customers high-quality, sustainable materials made from bio-based and recycled sources as an alternative to leather.
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