Share

Volkswagen on its new ID electric car: 'It will be a pioneer of sustainable mobility'

Volkswagen is committed to the Paris Climate Agreement and is laying the groundwork for sustainable mobility with its electric offensive.

The new ID, headed for production in Zwickau at the end of the year, will play a pioneering role: As the Group’s first electric car it will be CO2 neutral throughout the entire life cycle "if the customer consistently charges with green power," says VW.

'The greatest challenge'

Regarding the manufacturing phase alone, the carbon footprint of the ID. will be improved by more than 1 million tons of CO2 per year. This is roughly the climate impact of a coal- fired power plant that supplies 300 000 households with electricity.

WATCH: Volkswagen offers first glimpse of mobile charging station

In addition, Volkswagen is working on a comprehensive decarbonization program that includes measures for other models. The brand will offer more than 20 fully electric models by 2025.

Thomas Ulbrich, the Board Member responsible for e-mobility at the Volkswagen brand, said: "Climate change is the greatest challenge of our times.

"As the world’s largest car manufacturer, Volkswagen is assuming responsibility: The new ID. will be the Group’s first climate-neutrally produced electric car. To ensure that it remains emission free during its life cycle, we are working on many different ways to use green power. Truly sustainable mobility is feasible if we all want it and we all work on it."

VW Group Sustainability Council supports commitment

Georg Kell, the founding director of the UN Global Compact and spokesperson for the Volkswagen Group Sustainability Council, says: "CO2 emissions produced by humans must be reduced as quickly as possible.

"Since its foundation, the Volkswagen Sustainability Council has worked hard to ensure that the company makes climate protection one of its strategic priorities. Volkswagen is taking the right approach with its electric offensive and the ID. Now it’s time to powerfully put this plan into motion." 

Green power from battery cell to charging

For the ID, Volkswagen has focused the entire value chain on the goal of avoiding and reducing CO2 emission.

The battery cells will be produced in Europe, the energy will come from green power sources. More savings potential in the supply chain that extends all the way back to raw material production is being examined with the help of direct and indirect suppliers.

VW Dealership

                                                                        Image: iStock

The plant in Zwickau is already using externally produced power from renewable sources. Unavoidable emissions in the manufacturing process are offset by investments in certified climate projects. As a result, the ID. will be manufactured CO2 neutral right from the start.

For charging, Volkswagen recommends the use of energy from renewable sources like wind power and hydro-power. The new Volkswagen subsidiary Elli has recently begun to offer re-generatively produced electricity called Volkswagen Naturstrom.

The Ionity fast-charging network created by Volkswagen and other car manufacturers will offer green power at about 400 charging locations on European motorways – wherever available.

Energy transformation

Because electric cars are only as clean as the power that is used to produce and charge them, Volkswagen expressly supports Germany’s planned transition to sustainable energy supplies.

Even beyond the energy transformation, the breakthrough of electric mobility can be achieved only in an alliance with political leaders. From residential property law to the expansion of public charging infrastructure, the goal should be to quickly remove the barriers standing in the way of electric cars.

VW ID

                                                                        Image: Newspress

Volkswagen wants to make the electric car attractive and affordable for as many people as possible. The compact ID.1 will roll off the assembly line in Zwickau starting in late 2019.

The SUV ID. Crozz1, the ID. Buzz1 and the sedan ID. Vizzion1 will follow soon thereafter. The Volkswagen brand alone plans to invest about €9 billion in e-mobility by 2023.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE