Volvo EVs to go leather-free for animal welfare

Volvo Cars is taking an ethical stand for animal welfare through its EVs. Starting with the new C40 Recharge, the carmaker aims to offer only EVs by 2030, all of them with leather-free interiors. 

The leather-free interiors come after the company's concern about the negative environmental impacts of cattle farming, including deforestation.

Livestock is estimated to be responsible for around 14 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions from human activity, with the majority coming from cattle farming, Volvo said. 

Instead of leather interior options, Volvo will offer alternatives such as high-quality sustainable materials made from bio-based and recycled sources.

For example, Nordico, a new interior material created by the brand, will consist of textiles made from PET bottles, bio-attributed material from sustainable forests in Sweden and Finland, and corks recycled from the wine industry.

Wool blend will also be offered, which Volvo said will come from suppliers that are certified to source responsibly. The company looks to ensure full animal welfare in its wool supply chain.

The Nordico and wool will debut in the next generation of the company's cars. By 2025, the company is aiming for 25 percent of the material in new Volvo cars to consist of recycled and bio-based content. 

Products from livestock are used in building the car's plastics, rubber, lubricants and adhesives. The carmaker targets to reduce the use of these materials as well. 

As part of its climate action plans, Volvo also aims for all of its immediate suppliers, including material suppliers, to use 100-percent renewable energy by 2025.

“Being a progressive car maker means we need to address all areas of sustainability, not just CO2 emissions,” Volvo Director of Global Sustainability Stuart Templar said.

“Responsible sourcing is an important part of that work, including respect for animal welfare. Going leather-free inside our pure electric cars is a good next step towards addressing this issue,” Templar added. 

Photos from Volvo 

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