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Volvo have a vision that by 2025 all manufactering operations will be carbon neutral. This will be achieved by ustilising the elements and harnessing the cleanest renewable sources. Every Swedish factory is now powered by hydro-electric renewable energy.
Since 2008 Volvo Cars' Skövde plant has been powered by hydro-electric power systems and recently has become 100% carbon neutral. From 1st January 2018, Volvo's Skövde factory has been running off energy emitted from waste incineration, biomass and recycled bio-fules. This is a huge step towards the 2025 goal and a massive statement to the world proving what can be done.
Volvo's factory in Ghent, Belgium has recently installed 15,000 solar pannels to its already large source of renewable energy. This factory also uses wind power to supply 11% of its total power consumption and even has a heating system that reduces carbon emissions by 40%; thats a saving of around 15,000 tonnes of CO2 every year.
Volvo aim for at least 25% of all plastics found in new Volvo Cars are made from recycled materials. Volvo Cars also urges the auto industry suppliers to work closer with car makers and develop the next generation components that are sustainable. This is the most progressive statement made by any car manufacturer, not only have Volvo made this bold statement but have created a concept car to prove to the industry what can be achieved. The specially built XC60 T8 Clean Seas Concept.
170 components in this XC60 are made from recycled materials adding up to 60kg of recycled plastic. Seats, carpets, and floor mats are made from PET plastic bottles and recycled cotton mix. Floor mats and some other interior features are made from discarded fishing nets and maritime ropes, collected from the sea bed and recycled into fabric known as ECONYL®. Another important feature is under bonnet sound-proofing made from old Volvo seats, proving that there is plenty of opportunity for sustainability without having to create new fabric.