Apr 20, 2023

close-up of vw charging port

VW to Produce Electric Cars That Use Recycled Materials

To meet sustainable development goals set by the United Nations, a comprehensive plan has been put into place to hit net zero emissions by the year 2050. However, the goal is only attainable if the majority of companies in each major sector commits to the necessary changes that need to be implemented.

For example, there is a tremendous push being made for energy companies that currently use coal-fired power units to switch over to energy-efficient electric power units. Further, buildings that run on gas must switch over to a more sustainable source of energy, such as electricity or solar.

Another big step toward sustainability is advancing how recycled materials are used, and it appears Volkswagen is getting on board with their upcoming lineup of VW electric cars. Not only is the automaker committing to vehicles that run on rechargeable batteries, but it is also rolling out innovative ways to make use of recycled materials in its vehicles.

How Electric Cars Address Carbon Dioxide Emissions

According to recent data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the typical vehicle emits approximately 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. Carbon dioxide is predominantly responsible for causing climate change, depleting the ozone, and warming up the atmosphere. Statistics estimate emissions caused by humans have caused a 50% increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in the last two centuries.

What does this mean? For one, it means that the time of preventing the problem has long passed. The United States and the rest of the planet are officially in damage control mode.

One of the main ways this is being addressed is by steadily rolling out electric vehicles that are more affordable for consumers and sustainable in the long term. They provide the following benefits:

  • A significant savings on gasoline for EV owners.
  • Electric vehicles are significantly more energy efficient than vehicles with internal combustion engines.
  • EVs typically have lower maintenance costs due to the lack of a combustion engine.
  • Electric cars and SUVs do not emit pollutants, such as carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasses.
  • New technology is emerging that will advance recycling car batteries.
  • Future generations of electric vehicles will be able to power a home, similar to a backup generator.
  • Electric vehicles built domestically qualify for a significant tax benefit, which is not offered on new traditional vehicles.

How Future Volkswagen Electric Cars Will Take Sustainability Even Further

In addition to all the previously mentioned benefits of owning an electric vehicle, VW has plans to push eco-friendliness and sustainability even further with their upcoming lineup of Volkswagen electric SUVs and sedans. As originally introduced with the VW ID.Life concept SUV, Volkswagen will roll out more vehicles that use recycled materials to build out interior and exterior features and components.

Here are the main details that are known thus far:

  • Volkswagen has plans to reduce their carbon emissions by 40% by 2030.
  • Various underbody and interior components and pieces will be made from plastic recovered from the ocean and polyethylene terephthalate bottles.
  • Volkswagen has plans to replace chrome with liquid paint resembling chrome.
  • Recycled polyester, ArtVelours Eco, and Seaquel yarn will be used for headliners and seating surfaces.
  • The Volkswagen vehicles currently planned for eco-friendly upgrades include the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, and the ID.7.

Considering the pivot to sustainable materials, this has many folks wondering if the quality of Volkswagen electric SUVs and sedans will be impacted. The concern is that the recycled materials won’t hold up as well as the parts and components of their current lineup.

However, a spokesperson over at VW assuaged these concerns by addressing them directly. To paraphrase, the recycled materials and components that don’t meet the metric of quality that drivers have come to expect will not make it into production models.

How to Learn More About VW Electric Cars and SUVs

There are a couple of great resources for those who want to learn more about the sustainability initiative from Volkswagen. One resource that visitors can check out is the Our Values and Actions section of the Volkswagen website. This gives a more detailed overview of the automaker’s commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly vehicles.

Another great learning resource is the library of electric vehicle articles that Volkswagen hosts on its website. This page has everything from common misconceptions about electric vehicles to cost-saving benefits of owning an EV. It’s a great place to visit if you want to be brought up to speed on all the main topics pertaining to VW electric cars.

Finally, if you want to see an electric vehicle for yourself, you can pay a visit to your local Volkswagen dealership. There, a friendly team member can introduce you to the award-winning 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 and let you take it for a spin with a test drive. It’s the best way to get first-hand knowledge as to how a Volkswagen electric SUV handles.

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