Sustainability
Climate change is happening. As a mobility provider, we recognise that we're part of the problem and have a responsibility to act. We're aiming to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. How? By reducing emissions across our entire value chain.
Climate-neutral manufacturing
We aim to have climate-neutral manufacturing operations by 2025. Since 2008, all our European plants have been running on hydroelectric power.
2022
Slovakia
Plans announced for new climate neutral car plant in Kosice that opens in 2026.
2020
China
Chengdu car manufacturing plant is powered by 100% climate neutral electricity.
2018
Belgium and USA
Solar energy is introduced to manufacturing operations in Ghent & Charleston.
2008
In Europe
All manufacturing units in Europe transition to 100% renewable electricity.
The global standard for reporting on emissions
We're committed to real results based on an accurate count of all the emissions we're directly or indirectly responsible for. That's why we adhere to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG) – an international standard of greenhouse gas accounting.
Electric cars – benefits and challenges
Electrification plays a significant part in our vision to become climate neutral by 2040 – but electric cars create new challenges too, for everyone.
The wins created by electric cars are diminished if the charging electricity is generated from fossil fuels. Charging with renewable electricity significantly reduces the lifetime emissions of each car.
Charging also impacts the uptake of electric cars – more charging infrastructure is needed so that more people can make the change.
At this point in time, people also feel more secure with further range. Big range requires bigger batteries, which impacts on the total lifecycle emissions of the car, and the price.
It's a complex interplay and we believe electric cars will reach their full potential when we – as a global community – find new ways of providing customers with easy access to charging with renewable electricity.
Life-cycle analysis of our cars
We consider complete transparency about the climate impact of our battery electric vehicles (BEV) to be a corporate and social responsibility. That's why we've disclosed the carbon footprint for each of our new electric cars since 2019, quantified using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology.
Download full report EX40
Data transparency and climate ambitions
LCAs enable us to pinpoint carbon intensive materials and processes within our own operations and supply chain – helping us achieve our climate ambitions, as well as true zero emission mobility.
Future
As fully electric Volvos are introduced in the future, we pledge to continue to be transparent about our CO₂ footprint on all new cars.
Our position
Our ambition to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 will create many challenges and we want to be transparent throughout this transformation. We want to act responsibly and we want anyone interested in what's happening here at Volvo Cars to be able to explore our progress and know what we stand for.
You're welcome to read the resources in our ESG Policies & Position section and learn more about what we're doing. And of course you're welcome to engage with us where you have expertise you think will help us on our journey.