UK consumers are becoming more interested in eco-friendly cars and the impact of their production on climate change. Car manufacturers prioritise electric motors and CO2 emission reduction measures in their latest models to capitalise on this growing sentiment.
This article will cover the sustainability initiatives and creations in automotive manufacturing processes.
The Role of Electric Vehicles (EVs)
While producing EVs often requires significant energy and resource extraction, they are more sustainable than traditional combustion engine cars over their lifetime. They produce no tailpipe emissions and offer lower total lifecycle emissions than diesel or petrol cars, even when charged with electricity from burning fossil fuels. According to the European Energy Agency, EV emissions are 17-30% lower than traditional vehicles.
As the UK electricity grid shifts towards cleaner renewable sources, EV production will become more sustainable. Innovations in battery technology like lithium-iron-phosphate alternatives are gaining popularity thanks to their stable chemical footprint and lack of nickel and cobalt, making their production less impactful on the environment than traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Manufacturers, including BYD and Toyota, are also developing solid-state batteries. They have the potential to offer faster charging times, longer lifespans, and increased energy density. BYD aims to mass-produce them by 2030.
Recycled Materials
EV batteries from end-of-life cars can be dismantled and discharged before their parts are recycled. Methods including pyrometallurgy (high-temperature burning) and hydrometallurgy (chemical leaching) can recover costly metals like cobalt and nickel for reuse in new batteries instead of relying on destructive mining.
Hybrids, EVs, and traditional cars can also benefit from sustainable materials in their production. Glass fibre, for example, can be replaced with hemp fibre, a lighter, fully recyclable material with a significantly lower CO2 footprint.
Manufacturers are incorporating recycled polyethene terephthalate (PET) bottles in their interior fabrics and upholstery. ‘Dinamica’ is a popular side-like material made from used plastic bottles used in Audis and Jeeps on seat covers and steering wheels.
The Future of Used Cars
Used cars play an essential role in reducing the need for new resources. Buying a used model avoids the energy-intensive and resource-demanding process of manufacturing a new car, even if it uses recycled materials.
Reusing cars essentially recycles them, passing them on to a new owner and preventing them from ending up in landfills. Vehicles are kept on the road for longer, extending their lifespan, which promotes the maintenance and repair industry.
Many cars still use large amounts of steel, rubber, and plastics from unsustainable sources. Consumers buying used cars decrease the need for new vehicles, and their resource-intensive production can lower the industry’s overall environmental impact.
Government Regulations and Incentives
The UK government is promoting sustainable manufacturing through consumer grants and company mandates. Plug-in-grants, for example, are available to some limited-emission vehicles. Taxis, including a Dyanmo Taxi or LEVC TX, can be bought at a 20% discount of up to £4,000 if they have CO2 emissions of under 50g/km and can travel at least 70 miles without any emissions.
In January 2024, the government introduced the legally binding Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate to encourage carmakers to build and sell more EVs to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The mandate uses a credit-based system to encourage manufacturers, ensuring a rising percentage of their total sales are completely electric vehicles each year or face financial penalties.
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