Volvo plans to have leather-free electric vehicles by 2030

The Volvo C40 Recharge will be the first car that will be leather-free. Photos: Volvo

Volvo plans to have a full line of completely leather-free electric vehicles by 2030, starting with the new C40 Recharge.

Volvo is taking an ethical stand for animal welfare in its fully electric cars and is working actively to find high-quality and sustainable sources for many materials currently used in the wider car industry.

By 2025, the company is aiming for 25 percent of the material in new Volvo cars to consist of recycled and bio-based content, as it looks to become a fully circular business by 2040. 

As part of its climate action plans, it also aims for all of its immediate suppliers, including material suppliers, to use 100 percent renewable energy by 2025.

The brand is working on ethical products to replace animal products.

The company’s move towards leather-free interiors is also driven by a concern about the negative environmental impacts of cattle farming, including deforestation. Livestock is estimated to be responsible for around 14 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions from human activity, with the majority coming from cattle farming, says the Swedish brand.

Instead of leather interior options, Volvo Cars will offer its customers alternatives such as high-quality sustainable materials made from bio-based and recycled sources.

For example, Nordico, a new interior material created by Volvo Cars will consist of textiles made from recycled material such as PET bottles, bio-attributed material from sustainable forests in Sweden and Finland, and corks recycled from the wine industry – setting a new standard for premium interior design. This material will make its debut in the next generation of Volvo models.

 Volvo Cars will also continue to offer wool blend options from suppliers that are certified to source responsibly, as the company looks to ensure full traceability and animal welfare in its wool supply chain.