Sustainability

Sustainability

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time. To meet the goals set out in the Paris climate agreement, a reduction of CO2 emissions in the transport sector is necessary.

Of course, we want to live up to this responsibility. In pursuit of the goal to create an entirely electric model fleet, Volkswagen invests in a holistic approach: Mobility for a future that is not only electrifying, but also sustainable.

On the road to a climate-neutral mobility

Electric vehicles are highly energy efficient. Did you know you can drive 3 to 4 times further in an electric car with the same amount of energy than with a combustion engine? However, there are a couple of challenges on the road to a more sustainable mobility that we want to master with you:

On one hand, the production of electric vehicles, particularly of the battery, requires more energy than that of a vehicle with a combustion engine. On the other hand, the potential for savings during the use phase depends of the kind of energy you use to charge your electric vehicle.

Map, range comparison combustion cars vs electric vehicles
Range comparison combustion car vs. electric vehicle
60 kWh of electricity vs. 6 liters of diesel (equivalent to 60 kWh)

In order to ensure that the extra amount of energy required during production does not lead to a larger carbon footprint when your car is delivered, we have set ourselves the goal to be the first manufacturer to deliver the new electric ID.3 climate-neutral as a standard. This will allow you to start off with a better carbon dioxide balance.

Nature, climate protection, electric vehicle, ID.3

During the use phase, we support you with a range of offers for charging with green power to help you further reduce your carbon footprint. 

What we do to protect the climate

Emissions are created during the entire life cycle of an electric vehicle. To reduce them sustainably, we follow this principle:

Avoid first, then reduce and finally compensate unavoidable emissions – with projects to protect the climate.

Our holistic approach begins with measures to increase energy efficiency and the use of green power in our plant in Zwickau. Additionally, our suppliers are obliged to use green power in the production of battery cells.

Illustration life cycle of the ID.3
ID.3 lifecycle: supply chain, production, use and recycling

The unavoidable amount of emissions during the production phase will be reduced step by step and until then it will be compensated through certified climate protection projects. This will help us to reach our goal to deliver your ID.3 with a 100 percent CO2-neutral footprint.

To enable you to drive climate-neutral during the use phase of your electric car, we offer you a wide range of options to charge green power– at home, in the city and everywhere in between.

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