Volvo electric cars to be 100% leather-free

Volvo has vowed to make all its future electric car interiors completely leather-free – and by 2030, it will only sell 100 percent electric and leather-free cars.

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Volvo C40 Recharge interior

The Swedish firm says it is an ethical stand for animal welfare, with livestock estimated to be responsible for 14 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions from human activity.

The first leather-free Volvo will be the new C40 Recharge.

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

“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.”

© Provided by Motoring Electric
Volvo C40 Recharge interior

The company isn’t stopping with simply dropping leather, either, as “doing so alone does not make a car interior vegan”.

Volvo is therefore also aiming to reduce the use of residual products related to livestock production. These are used in the production of plastics, rubber, lubricants and adhesives.

“Finding products and materials that support animal welfare will be challenging, but that is no reasons to avoid this important issue,” said Mr Templar.

Leather alternatives will include bio-based and recycled materials: Volvo has created a new material called Nordico, consisting of textiles made from recycled plastic drinks bottles and recycled wine corks.

Wool blends will be offered too – bought from suppliers certified to source responsibility.

Volvo is also targeting 25 percent of the material in new cars to be recycled and bio-based by 2025.

The aim is for Volvo to be a fully circular business by 2040.

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