Manufacturing is an inherently eco-averse practice, harming the atmosphere and environment. That said, some car companies have switched to sustainable materials.
Gone are the days of pure waste and disdain for environmental practices in the automotive industry. Many car companies are heavily involved in working toward protecting the environment. Some look at their efforts as a carbon-neutral process, while others try to find every possible place they can recycle or reuse materials and energy. Many car companies use more sustainable materials and processes than ever before; here are a few examples.
Tesla
Tesla only builds electric vehicles, which is a start toward protecting the atmosphere from harmful emissions. That’s not where Tesla’s efforts end. They are already working to become carbon neutral by 2030 and sustainably source all battery materials by that time as well. This EV company is also focused on producing and supplying up to 1,500 gigawatt-hours of energy to the electric grid and produce as many as 20 million EVs annually by the end of the decade.
Rivian
Another EV company, Rivian has more aggressive goals for carbon neutrality than Tesla. Rivian seeks this by 2028 in its operations. The entire supply chain of Rivian is expected to achieve this goal by 2032, putting the pressure on its supplies. Rivian uses sustainable materials and practices in its production, including powering its facilities with 100% renewable energy by 2025 and cutting the water usage in half by 2030.
Audi
Audi is working to achieve carbon neutrality company wide by 2050, but its production facilities will achieve this standard by 2025. Audi is also working to build up to 30% of its vehicle as all-electric or plug-in hybrid models by the end of 2025. Audi is also one of the first companies to create a reusable program for EV batteries that were being equipped in some electric rickshaws.
General Motors
GM is one of the largest automakers in the world and has been using sustainable materials in its vehicles for several years. In addition to using recycled materials, GM has an aggressive plan of sustainability with the target of 2025 to have all facilities run on 100% renewable energy. This will greatly reduce the carbon footprint of the massive automaker. GM also plans to have an all-electric lineup by 2035.
Ford
Another large automaker with a history of automotive sustainability, Ford, has been a leader in this space for several years. Ford has always dabbled in recycling and sustainability, showcasing a plastic car made from soybeans in the 1940s. Ford uses locally sourced renewable energy in its plants and intends to be completely reliant on renewable energy by 2035. They are also removing all single-use plastics from facilities by 2030, which will help reduce plastic use across the board.
Toyota
Toyota makes more hybrid cars than any other company, which begun with the Prius several years ago. This Japanese automaker is a key player in automotive sustainability, especially since they are the largest automaker in the world. Toyota has recently begun its EV path with the bZ4X and is working to have all facilities using renewable power and energy by 2040. They intend to be globally carbon neutral by 2050.
BMW
BMW has quickly become a leader in the EV world and uses many sustainable materials in its vehicles. Many of the new EVs are electric counterparts to the brand’s gas-powered vehicles. BMW is working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 40% by 2030 in all phases of its operations. By 2035, BMW wants its vehicles to be 1005 recyclable, which would be a huge factor in the push for carbon neutrality.
Honda
Honda set a target of 2050 to be completely sustainable and carbon neutral. They’ve begun this by turning the Minota-based manufacturing plant into a carbon-neutral facility and ensuring 100% resource circularity with its materials. Honda is also working to shorten the supply chain by producing solid-state batteries in-house.
These are just a few automakers using sustainable materials and creating a pathway to carbon neutrality in their operations.
