Motoring towards a cleaner, greener future
At a time when we’re seeing environmental effects as one of the few positives to come out of the pandemic, we need to embrace this change and the opportunity for the future. Three manufactures have been doing exactly that as part of their environmental efforts that go beyond what comes out of a vehicle's exhaust.
Volvo Cars has announced that its manufacturing plant in Chengdu, China, is now powered by 100% renewable electricity. Reducing the plant’s CO2 emissions by more than 11,000 tonnes per year, it brings the company’s global renewable electricity levels within its manufacturing network to 80%.
“Our ambition is to reduce our carbon footprint through concrete, tangible actions,” said Javier Varela, head of industrial operations and quality at
Volvo Cars. “Securing a fully renewable electricity supply for our largest plant in China is a significant milestone and underlines our commitment to taking concrete, meaningful action.”
For the future, Volvo’s ambition is to have climate-neutral manufacturing by 2025. The long-term goal is to be a climate-neutral company by 2040.
A little closer to home, SEAT has also significantly reduced its five main production-related environmental factors since 2010. The carmaker has successfully lowered its energy (26%) and water (32%) consumption, waste generation (58%), volatile organic compounds (23%) and CO2 (65%), with actions in 2019 resulting in waste disposal cut by 2kg per vehicle.
“SEAT has a clear commitment to the environment,” explains vice-president for production and logistics, Dr Christian Vollmer. “That is why we have been working for several years with the aim of minimising the environmental impact of our business as much as possible. Since 2010, we have cut our footprint by 43% and reduced CO2 emissions from production by 65%. Our goal is to continue to improve day by day to contribute to protecting the planet.”
Last but not least, Hyundai has been celebrating 30 years of developing ecofriendly vehicles since the launch of the Sonata Electric Vehicle in 1991. A concept based on the Sonata sedan, it featured a lead-acid battery and offered a range of 44 miles, as well as a top speed of 37mph.
For more insights into what steps the automotive industry is taking towards a cleaner future, visit smmt.co.uk/ industry-topics/environment