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Volvo Cars is aiming to radically reduce its lifecycle carbon footprint per car by 40% between 2018 and 2025, as part of an ongoing ambitious climate plan to become a climate neutral company by 2040.
Their 2040 ambitions go beyond addressing tailpipe emissions through all-out electrification, but also tackle carbon emissions in its manufacturing network, through recycling and reuse of materials.
The future is clean
"We are very proud to form part of a company that isn't just talking about the critically important issue of climate change - but is rather actively and tangibly addressing the issue," says Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director of Volvo Car South Africa.
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"South Africans have long purchased Volvo cars because they are stylish, innovative, safe and represent the pinnacle in Swedish luxury. Now they will also be able to buy cars that contribute to a climate-neutral future - vehicles such as the XC90 T8, for instance.
"I believe that this will sit well with South Africans, who are becoming increasingly aware of the need to reduce the carbon footprint of their cars," he added.
To realise the 40% reduction of its CO2 footprint per car by 2025, the company has devised a number of ambitions for different parts of its operations.
'A climate-neutral future'
Its previously communicated goal of generating 50% of global sales from fully electric cars by 2025 is a prominent one, which would result in a 50% reduction in carbon emissions between 2018 and 2025.
"We are transforming our company through concrete actions, not symbolic pledges. So at Volvo Cars, we will address what we control, which is both our operations and the tailpipe emissions of our cars," said Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive.
"And we will address what we can influence, by calling on our suppliers and the energy sector to join us in aiming for a climate-neutral future," he added.
Another one of the brand's ambitions is to include a 25% reduction of CO2 emissions related to its global supply chain by 2025, a 25% share of recycled plastics in new Volvo cars by 2025 and a 25% reduction of carbon emissions generated by the company’s overall operations, including manufacturing and logistics.
An electrified future
Volvo was the first conventional car maker to commit to all-out electrification and phasing out cars powered only by an internal combustion engine.
As of this year, every new car launched will be electrified while also launching its first fully electric car, the XC40 Recharge. Starting with the XC40 Recharge, the brand will disclose the average lifecycle carbon footprint of each new model.
The XC40 Recharge is the first car in Volvo Cars’ new Recharge car line. Recharge will be the overarching name for all chargeable Volvos with a fully electric and plug-in hybrid powertrain.
The Recharge car line aims to further boost sales of Volvo Cars’ electrified cars and encourage plug-in hybrid drivers via incentives to use Pure mode as much as possible.
Compiled by: Robin Classen
