Jaguar will stay within the Formula E World Championship till the tip of 2030, saying that it’ll proceed to speed up its improvement of its new era of electrical highway vehicles.
The British model has raced within the electrical single-seater sequence for the reason that 2016-17 season and can contests its a hundredth ePrix in Monaco this weekend.
Jaguar has taken 13 victories in Formula E and is presently main the producers’ championship for the 2023-24 season.
It has now dedicated to Formula E’s forthcoming Gen4 guidelines, which is able to start within the 2026-27 season and run till 2029-30. It will proceed as each a powertrain producer and with its Jaguar TCS Racing manufacturing facility staff.
Jaguar will likely be reinvented as a premium electric-only model within the coming years, with the primary of a deliberate preliminary line-up (which, as exclusively revealed by Autocar, will likely be led by a big limousine) of three fashions set to reach in 2025.
Remaining in Formula E till the tip of 2030 will subsequently give Jaguar a showcase to spotlight the energy of its EV expertise and showcase its reinvented model picture.
Jaguar motorsport boss James Barclay mentioned the Formula E staff will “continue to drive the rapid development of EV technology on the track”.
He famous that the dedication was proof of the JLR board’s “confidence in the value of competition” and aligned with the agency’s wider Reimagine enterprise technique.
Jaguar has lengthy insisted that motorsport is a useful proving ground to develop new technology for electrical powertrains. That contains work with Wolfspeed on silicon-carbide to be used in semiconductors and with Castrol to re-refine used transmission fluid for competitors use.
The model mentioned each of these applied sciences will likely be utilized by its next-generation EVs.
While technical particulars are nonetheless being finalised, Formula E bosses have mentioned the longer term Gen4 vehicles can have 804bhp and as much as 939bhp of regenerative braking, up from 469bhp and 804bhp for the present Gen3 vehicles.
The chassis will once more be developed by France’s Spark Racing Technologies, whereas Italy’s Podium Advanced Technologies will substitute WAE because the provider of the batteries. Marelli will proceed to provide the entrance motors, that are largely used for regen. Manufacturers are free to develop their very own rear motors.
Jaguar is the second producer to decide to Formula E’s Gen4 period, following Nissan.
JLR is recruiting 250 electrical engineers to work on a bunch of recent EVs arriving by 2030, beginning with the electric Range Rover later this yr.
These new positions be part of an already introduced new 300 technician roles, all funded by JLR’s £15bn Reimagine technique fund, created to transition the agency into the electrical period.
Based throughout its Gaydon Engineering Centre and Whitley Future Energy Lab, 40 of the roles will give attention to {the electrical} structure and battery applied sciences which are pivotal to those next-generation EVs.
This contains engaged on superior power storage techniques, battery cell design, cell stack assemblies and software program techniques.
This space specifically will futureproof the corporate, mentioned cell design supervisor Freddy Gunnarsson, providing house owners “unique driving and charging experiences expected of modern luxury vehicles”.
“This is an exciting opportunity for battery chemistry experts to help define the next generation of electrical powertrains,” he added.
The remaining new positions cowl propulsion, the mixing of high-voltage structure, electrical system element design and the event of fast-charging tech.
“The realisation of our Reimagine technique relies on our funding in folks and expertise,” mentioned Thomas Müller, government director of product engineering.
“As we proceed to spend money on our services, we are actually searching for very proficient folks to assist us develop developments in propulsion expertise that can underpin our next-generation trendy luxurious automobiles.”
These roles be part of 300 already introduced roles, 100 of which shall be upkeep technicians taking care of 700 robots at JLR’s new £130 million automated physique manufacturing facility in Solihull.
The new physique store will improve Range Rover and Range Rover Sport manufacturing by 30%.
These 100 technicians may also be educated to work on a brand new £70m physique manufacturing system that shall be used to assist construct the brand new electrical Range Rover.
Future-looking would be the focus of the opposite 200 new recruits – a mixture of technicians and take a look at engineers. Based on the Gaydon engineering centre and Whitley powertrain facility, they are going to work on testing and growing next-generation EVs.
Volvo is dedicated to continuing with full electrification by 2030 and affords plug-in hybrids as a bridge for hesitant customers.
Volvo plans to achieve 50% full electrical by 2025, staying forward of Canadian authorities mandates.
The model, recognized for security, enjoys shopper belief and loyalty, serving to pave the way in which for profitable EV releases.
Although the electrical revolution within the auto trade is an inevitable end result in our collective combat to cut back CO2 emissions within the title of local weather change, some carmakers have been very vocal concerning the challenges they face on the electrification entrance. For occasion, Ford was quite blunt about the amount of money it’s losing on every electrical automobile (EV) it sells.
More just lately, General Motors announced a roll-back to plug-in hybrids in an try to please a wider scope of customers, these which might be nonetheless not snug with taking the plunge to full electrification for a myriad of various causes. Mercedes-Benz additionally just lately introduced its intentions to water-down its EV roadmap.
But not all carmakers discover the electrified enterprise to be a troublesome one. Some, like Tesla, Hyundai and Volvo, for instance, are marching forward of their EV growth, multiplying their zero-emission choices annually. Volvo is a good instance of this because it plans on launching two absolutely electrical SUVs this 12 months, the tiny and oh-so-adorable EX30, and the larger EX90 flagship three-row SUV.
Curious to seek out out if Volvo is planning on staying true to its electrification technique, or plans, like another carmakers, to vary its dialogue within the coming years, I spent a little bit of time chatting with Stefan Diklich, Product Manager at Volvo Cars Canada through the Canadian International Auto Show for extra perception on the matter. Turns out Volvo has no plans to show its again to EVs.
Volvo makes an enormous deal concerning the EX30’s small dimension. Its “less is more” philosophy may spawn an entire new method for EVs.
Volvo Is Ready To Respond To EV Demand, But PHEVs And Hybrids Remain Important
Volvo
My first query for Stefan was how Volvo sees the current backlash we’re listening to from different carmakers. Does Volvo additionally see the identical challenges as its opponents, or is it snug with its present enterprise mannequin surrounding EV gross sales? I used to be additionally curious to know if, since Volvo is almost entirely separated from Polestar, the model feels extra freedom to launch its electrical autos.
I can not touch upon Polestar’s plans, in fact, however we now have our imaginative and prescient of being absolutely electrical by 2030, separate from what they’re doing. We have a plan and a lineup that can meet the buyer wants which might be on the market, but additionally handle their issues on the subject of vary, vary nervousness and pricing. If any individual remains to be not able to go electrical at this time, we nonetheless have a portfolio of autos to go well with their wants, like plug-in hybrids and common hybrids.
Stefan believes that plug-in hybrids are an amazing stepping stone for customers who’re nonetheless not but snug taking the complete plunge in the direction of a completely electrical automobile. These worries may come from lengthy charging occasions, vary nervousness or inadequate charging infrastructure of their space. These customers is also dwelling in condos or house buildings, stopping them from getting access to dwelling charging.
Before committing to a plug-in hybrid automobile, it is necessary that you simply perceive its limitations through the winter season.
“Ahead Of The Curve” Of Government Mandates
Volvo
My subsequent query centered across the Canadian authorities’s current EV Availability Standard that can drive carmakers to promote a sure share of zero-emission autos (ZEV), beginning in 2026. While some carmakers, like Hyundai, have introduced being in favor of them, I wished to get Volvo’s perspective on the matter.
We’re going to be forward of the curve. We’re going to be 50% absolutely electrical by 2025 and 100% by 2030. So none of this scares us. We have a plan that is method forward of the federal government mandates.
When requested if he feels Volvo has an higher hand benefit over different carmakers on the EV entrance, Stefan answered by saying that the Volvo model already has a powerful heritage behind it, recognized largely for its repute for security. He defined that customers know what to anticipate from the model. Many of them have remained loyal to the corporate. He feels that due to this, when Volvo releases a brand new EV, customers immediately belief that the model will ship on its guarantees.
Volvo
Volvo plans on first releasing the subcompact EX30 this summer time as its entry-level electrical automobile, positioned beneath the XC40 and C40 (their nomenclatures will quickly change to EX40 and EC40). The bigger EX90, a completely electrical three-row SUV that can sit in the identical house as the present XC90, is scheduled later this 12 months, in the direction of This fall, as a 2025 mannequin.
Toyota is decided to promote 200,000 hydrogen-powered automobiles yearly by 2030, regardless of low gross sales and restricted infrastructure.
Toyota is increasing its hydrogen portfolio with partnerships and plans to ascertain a Hydrogen Factory in Europe.
Hydrogen-powered automobiles supply benefits akin to lowered weight, sooner refueling instances, greater payload capability, and adaptableness in numerous environments in comparison with electrical automobiles.
On paper, an FCEV (fuel-cell electrical car) makes use of an electrical motor similar to an everyday EV, however sources energy from a gas stack the place hydrogen is separated by a catalyst to generate electrical energy. This seemingly minor element marks an enormous hole between the 2 classes and is on the core of Toyota’s unorthodox method to decarbonization.
While EVs have grown at a speedy tempo over the past couple of years, the variety of hydrogen automobiles out there for buy may be counted on one hand. At the forefront of those FCEVs, we discover the Toyota Mirai, a mid-size sedan boasting a variety of 402 miles. Ever since its introduction in 2015, Toyota has sold only 14,105 copies of the Mirai within the United States, together with 2,737 examples in 2023, in keeping with CarFigures.
All in all, the Mirai isn’t a nasty automobile, and its lack of ability to draw prospects has extra to do with the present market circumstances than any dearth of options or attractiveness. As of 2023, there have been only 59 open retail hydrogen stations within the United States, most of them based mostly in California. On a worldwide scale, the shortage isn’t any much less daunting. There had been only 1,089 combined hydrogen stations across the globe by Q2 of 2023. Furthermore, hydrogen know-how is reasonably expensive too, which is why the Mirai comes at a not-so-cheap $49,500 MSRP.
Nonetheless, the Toyota stays undeterred by such components, and plans on forging forward with a wider array of hydrogen automobiles, with plans to attain 200,000 annual FCEV gross sales in the long term. This technique just isn’t restricted to the FCEV sedan, nevertheless, and expands to numerous different realms, as proven under.
With the ever advancing motion in direction of a very sustainable transportation future, hydrogen has risen as a really viable different to batteries.
In order to provide the newest and correct data attainable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from Toyota and different authoritative sources, together with Reuters and the European Commission.
Toyota Is Looking To Increase Its Hydrogen Sales Exponentially
In 2023, the Toyota Mirai achieved a 31-percent year-over-year enhance in gross sales. Sounds good, proper? Well, that’s till you notice solely 2,737 copies had been purchased. These underwhelming outcomes haven’t deterred Toyota from pursuing its hydrogen ambitions, nevertheless. While Toyota has solely managed to promote 14,105 fashions of its solely hydrogen car within the final eight years, it stays nonetheless decided to promote 200,000 examples yearly by 2030.
“This may be a strange way of putting it, but 200,000 is not a big number,” explains Toyota’s Chief Technology Officer, Hiroki Nakajima. “We believe this number and more can be achieved.”
Toyota
Since Toyota hasn’t given up on FCEV know-how, it solely is smart for the corporate to maintain its old-trusted sedan round. The longer the Mirai stays in the marketplace, the extra it could possibly pave the best way for future hydrogen automobiles to come back. This permits Toyota to evaluate suggestions from house owners, take a look at out the Mirai in actual life, and study from it. And, whereas the dearth of charging infrastructure may need hindered the Mirai’s business progress to date, current patent filings present that Toyota is planning on establishing a “Hydrogen Charging Network”, which might permit for at-home hydrogen fueling.
Although the FCEV enterprise is reasonably restricted now, Toyota said it expects the global market for fuel cells to grow to around $35 billion by 2030. More reasonable forecasts predict it to develop at round CAGR 25-percent from 2023 to 2032, which might quantity to $30 billion. These optimistic estimates are additional mirrored by the formidable tasks which are at present being laid out by the Japanese producer.
According to Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, ICE-powered vehicles are right here to remain, and EVs will solely contribute a small share of world gross sales.
Hydrogen Trucks: Toyota’s Attempt At Reshaping The Industry
Toyota
While electrical vehicles have already began changing their typical counterparts in nations akin to Sweden, heavy-duty EVs (particularly semi-trucks) are nonetheless far behind their gas-powered equivalents by way of each market and effectiveness. For that purpose, some events have began trying into hydrogen vans, and vans in its place. Naturally, Toyota can also be on the forefront of this motion.
The FCEV variants however, will function Toyota’s newest hydrogen know-how, which reportedly translated into 300 miles of vary on the Kenworth T680 again in 2023. The upcoming variations are expected to get closer to 400 miles, and presumably even exceed it with larger gas tanks. In any case, we will quickly discover out, since buyer deliveries are deliberate for 2024. Last 12 months, Toyota also partnered up with VDL Groep to launch their first FCEV demonstration vans, as a part of the corporate’s ambition ambition to decarbonize its European logistics operations.
Toyota Might Be On To Something
Toyota
While you may be tempted to criticize Toyota’s technique (or lack thereof) with regards to EVs, it is received many good causes to proceed investing in hydrogen-powered automobiles:
Reduced weight: Although hydrogen-powered automobiles are heavier than diesel-powered ones, they’re significantly lighter than battery-powered automobiles.
Faster refueling instances: According to Toyota, its hydrogen gas tank may be refueled in 15 to twenty minutes. In distinction, the Tesla SEMI, which is the fastest-charging big-rig within the e-segment, wants 90 minutes to go from 10 to one hundred pc.
Faster deliveries: Since hydrogen vans want much less time to refuel, and might spend extra time on the street on a single tank, they’re extra more likely to respect and keep a packed schedule.
Higher payload and towing capability: Electric powertrains are inclined to lose a substantial quantity of vary beneath duress, which is one thing Toyota intends to repair by implementing hydrogen into the combination.
Higher adaptability: Electric automobiles can lose a substantial quantity of vary beneath wintry circumstances, making them much less appropriate with completely different environments.
Hydrogen combustion engines problem EVs with speedy refueling, longer vary, and broader sustainability.
Hydrogen Isn’t A Lost Cause Just Yet
You’ve guessed it now, Toyota is not putting all of its eggs in the same basket, and the Mirai is way from being its final attempt. On high of diversifying its portfolio, the legacy automaker has additionally been securing partnerships with different automakers, and increasing its geographical horizons.
Europe: The Next Meccah Of H2
Toyota is notably planning to ascertain the Hydrogen Factory in Europe, to provide “an increasing number of fuel cell systems and support a widening group of commercial partnerships.”
The resolution to open an H2 facility within the previous continent is a strategic one. Toyota expects Europe to grow to be a number one drive within the world FCEV market by the start of the subsequent decade, as rising investments and political incentives pile up. The EU’s transport infrastructure fund has notably awarded €284 million (round one-third of its price range) for the set up of hydrogen stations, which ought to assist clear up the present infrastructure challenge to some extent. To up the ante a bit, the European Commission’s Green Deal is also set to invest €45 billion by 2027.
Toyota’s Other Hydrogen Projects
Toyota
While the Mirai is the one manufacturing FCEV launched by Toyota to date, the Japanese carmaker has fairly a number of H2 tasks on its resumé. Engineers have not been sitting idle precisely, and to date, Toyota’s fuel-cell panoply notably consists of:
A Corolla Cross H2 Concept, powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, transformed to utilizing hydrogen as gas.
An FCEV Toyota Crown constructed on a newly developed 2.5-liter multi-stage hybrid system, providing 509 miles of vary per three-minute hydrogen refill.
A hydrogen-fueled V-8 engine, co-developed with Yamaha, concentrating on 455 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 398 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm.
A hydrogen-fueled Hilux prototype, with 372 miles of vary, which targets a better towing and payload capability than EV vans.
A hydrogen-powered GR Yaris, which was pushed by famend actor Rowan Atkinson on the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Cadillac has pledged to go purely electrical by 2030, however there’s nonetheless time for a couple of extra autos with combustion engines. The XT5 occurs to be certainly one of them, and later this yr, it’s going to transition to its second technology. Ahead of its official premiere, the luxurious crossover has been outed in China by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology as a part of the homologation course of.
Having been round since 2016, the outgoing XT5 is getting a bit lengthy within the tooth. Thankfully, its successor is correct across the nook with a brisker look. It’s apparent we’re coping with evolutionary styling consistent with Cadillac’s newest design language. It will get the acquainted higher slim strip of horizontal lights together with a vertical bar extending downward to type an upside-down “L” at each ends of the car.
Volvo Cars is increasing its sustainability technique, setting new formidable targets for 2030 and 2040. The firm can also be boosting its deal with biodiversity, and by 2025 the corporate goals to have 100 per cent of its debt linked to its Green Financing Framework or in a sustainability-linked format.
“Taking actions to combat climate change is non-negotiable and going fully electric is an important step on our pioneering journey,” says Jim Rowan, CEO of Volvo Cars. “As we move to further reduce emissions throughout our value chain, we have a responsibility to do more and address our biodiversity footprint as well as help improve people’s lives. Our updated strategy has been designed to help us do just that.”
Volvo Cars’ new sustainability ambitions for 2030 briefly:
Reduce its CO2 emissions per automotive by 75 per cent (in comparison with 2018 ranges)
Reduce power utilization in its operations per common automotive by 40 per cent (in comparison with 2018 ranges)
Reach 30 per cent common recycled content material throughout its fleet, with new automotive fashions having at the very least 35 per cent recycled content material
Reduce water use in its operations by 50 per cent common per automotive (in comparison with 2018 ranges)
At least 99 per cent of all waste from its operations to be both reused or recycled
Since the discharge of the sustainability technique in 2019, Volvo Cars has made progress in the direction of its local weather motion targets. For instance, 69 per cent of firm operations are actually powered by climate-neutral power in contrast with 55 per cent in 2019, and 100 per cent climate-neutral electrical energy is now used throughout its manufacturing crops globally in contrast with 80 per cent in 2019. Additionally, Volvo Cars has lowered its CO2 emissions per automotive by 19 per cent since 2018.
Net zero greenhouse fuel emissions by 2040 Volvo Cars’ purpose now could be to achieve zero greenhouse fuel emissions by 2040. This expands upon our earlier ambitions of being local weather impartial by 2040, and clarifies the corporate’s intention to make use of carbon removals solely to mitigate any unavoidable emissions. The firm’s first precedence stays to cut back actual emissions earlier than turning to carbon removals, and it encourages its suppliers to do the identical.
This shall be underpinned by an ambition to realize 100 per cent inexperienced debt or sustainability-linked financing of property by 2025 – in recognition of the truth that finance performs a vital function in advancing sustainable growth.
2030 is a milestone 12 months for the corporate. By then it plans to be a totally electrical automotive firm whereas additionally aiming to cut back CO2 emissions per automotive by 75 per cent in contrast with its 2018 baseline. The firm believes that by a mixture of promoting solely absolutely electrical vehicles and lowering emissions by 30 per cent from each its provide chain and operations, it will likely be on observe to fulfill the CO2 discount targets.
Working in the direction of changing into a round enterprise by 2040 At Volvo Cars, embracing the round financial system has been in focus since 2019. Recycled materials already includes a bigger proportion of supplies in newer Volvo vehicles than ever earlier than. For instance, almost 25 per cent of all aluminium within the Volvo EX30 is recycled, whereas roughly 17 per cent of all metal and plastic within the automotive comes from recycled sources as nicely.
Volvo Cars goals to make use of 30 per cent common recycled content material throughout its fleet by 2030, and for brand spanking new automotive fashions launched from 2030 to comprise at the very least 35 per cent recycled content material. The firm can also be striving to make sure that by 2030, 99 per cent of all its waste is both reused or recycled in contrast with recycling 94 per cent of world manufacturing waste in 2022.
Striving to be web optimistic and to contribute to a nature optimistic future Volvo Cars believes in taking an entire worth chain method to its impression on biodiversity. In addition to taking motion to cut back impression, it can additionally pursue restorative actions.
To uncover how Volvo Cars’ actions have an effect on biodiversity, the corporate performed an impression evaluation utilizing manufacturing and gross sales knowledge from 2021 to estimate its annual biodiversity footprint utilizing the ReCiPe mannequin. Using the findings as a baseline, Volvo Cars is now setting a long-term ambition to attempt to be web optimistic throughout its worth chain and to contribute to a nature optimistic future.
This would require a mix of short-term and long-term measures that Volvo Cars is at present creating, akin to avoiding and lowering the impacts of its worth chain, designing a programme for restoration and conservation actions inside ecosystems the place it operates/sources from, and dealing along with provide chain companions to ascertain consciousness on biodiversity points.
Help shield folks’s lives inside and past the worth chain Volvo Cars needs to have a optimistic impression on society. The firm has, for instance, taken steps to assist shield folks by specializing in its damage price (LTCR). The present damage price (LTCR) is 0.07, an industry-leading effort, however the purpose is to additional scale back the office damage price to 0.02 by 2030. Throughout its worth chain, Volvo Cars can also be working arduous to assist safeguard human rights by risk-based due diligence processes to hint, determine, assess and tackle human rights dangers.
Together with like-minded companions, Volvo Cars appears ahead to unveiling new social and environmental initiatives within the 12 months forward, aimed in the direction of serving to shield folks and the planet.
The small print
On throughout its fleet by 2030: this refers to all fashions at present being produced at the moment.
On web optimistic throughout its worth chain: aiming in the direction of web optimistic implies that Volvo Cars will take actions to keep away from and scale back its impacts, in addition to interact in restoration and regeneration of nature to the extent that it positively balances its destructive impacts.
On nature optimistic: Volvo Cars’ purpose to contribute in the direction of nature optimistic means that it’ll not solely purpose to be web optimistic, but additionally purpose at repeatedly lowering its destructive impression relative to a 2021 baseline.
On damage price (LTCR): damage price (LTCR) is outlined because the variety of work and occupational accidents reported with at the very least sooner or later sick depart, divided by hours labored and multiplied by 200,000.
On risk-based due diligence processes to hint, determine, assess and tackle human rights dangers: risk-based due diligence processes carried out globally to evaluate the potential or precise antagonistic impression and prioritise actions to stop, stop, mitigate and treatment recognized human rights violations. The processes ought to fulfil upcoming EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and its human rights compliance programme. This features a accountable sourcing administration system aiming to introduce a formalised and constant course of to proactively handle human rights and environment-related dangers in Volvo Cars’ provide chains for all its recognized Raw supplies of concern (RMOC).
On along with like-minded companions: current examples on this area are Volvo Cars’ monetary and in-kind help to Save the Children and UNICEF’s Ukraine response and collaboration with Girls Who Code.
Mercedes has pledged to go absolutely electrical by 2030 “where market conditions allow.” To get there, it is engaged on extra reasonably priced EVs to fit beneath the EQE and EQS (together with their SUV equivalents). The Concept CLA-Class will morph right into a zero-emission sedan in 2024 and will probably be adopted in 2025 by this – the electrical C-Class.
Spied testing for the primary time, Mercedes’ belated reply to the BMW i4 had full camo apparel to cover what appears to be the manufacturing physique. However, these are positively not the ultimate headlights and taillights. In addition, we consider the door handles protruding from the physique are pretend. Logic tells us the C-Class EV may have handles flush with the physique to allow a clean profile for additional miles of vary.
Polestar has set an ambitious goal to introduce a completely climate-neutral car in 2030. The company is currently two years into an extensive research and development program focused on reducing the environmental impact of its supply and construction processes.
The initiative, known as Polestar 0, is indicative of its intended environmental significance. Hans Pehrson, who formerly led Polestar’s R&D department and is now in charge of bringing this initiative to fruition, emphasized the objective of creating a “commercialized car” rather than just a concept.
Pehrson stated, “What kind of car will come later – convertible, SUV, city car, whatever…” and explained that the 10-year program, which commenced in 2020, is divided into three distinct stages.
“We have a detailed timeline to get there. We should have a production start in 2030. Three years before that point, we need to start detailed product development in the automotive business: 36 months is quite common.
“Before that starts, we need to look into architecture. Will we build it on aluminum, steel or something else? Will it be four-wheel drive? Will the battery be under the floor?”
Pehrson mentioned that his division will need to be well-prepared with thorough research by 2025 in order for the company to achieve its goals.
The research program will consider the impact of all materials, components, and processes used in car construction. Pehrson also noted, “If we make a breakthrough this year or next year, we can implement them in a model-year change or in a new car launching in 2024, 2025 or 2026.”
Polestar has already included more than 30 companies in the 0 project and showcased the work of some of these at its Polestar Day event in Los Angeles.
These include seats made using ‘fossil-free steel’ from a company called SSAB, plastics from Dama BioPlastics that are made using plant waste, and a material called PaperShell that turns paper back into wood.
Volvo Cars is taking a significant step towards its goal of becoming a climate-neutral company. By 2030, the company plans to sell only fully electric cars, and by 2040, it aims to achieve complete climate neutrality. At Climate Week NYC, Volvo Cars declared that it will stop producing diesel-powered car models by early 2024. This move makes Volvo Cars one of the first traditional car manufacturers to take such a decisive action in favor of electric vehicles.
This milestone follows Volvo Cars’ decision in 2022 to stop developing new combustion engines. The company sold its stake in Aurobay, a joint venture that held its remaining combustion engine assets. Volvo Cars is now fully committed to electric powertrains and has ceased investing in the development of new internal combustion engines.
Volvo Cars’ Chief Executive, Jim Rowan, expresses the advantages of electric vehicles over combustion engines. Electric powertrains generate less noise, less vibration, and create zero tailpipe emissions. In addition, they require less servicing costs for customers. The company is focused on creating a diverse range of premium, fully electric cars that meet the expectations of Volvo customers while contributing to the fight against climate change.
In response to the urgent need for action highlighted by the United Nations’ Global Climate Stocktake report, Jim Rowan emphasizes the importance of strong leadership from industry and political leaders in combating climate change. Volvo Cars is committed to doing its part and calls on peers and political leaders worldwide to join in the effort.
As a demonstration of its commitment, Volvo Cars’ Chief Sustainability Officer, Anders Kärrberg, will participate in an event organized by the Accelerating to Zero (A2Z) Coalition during this year’s Climate Week NYC. The A2Z Coalition, launched at the COP27 climate summit, brings together signatories of the Glasgow Declaration on Zero Emission Vehicles. The coalition aims to ensure that all new car and van sales are free of tailpipe emissions by 2040, and no later than 2035 in leading markets. Volvo Cars’ electrification target is even more ambitious, and the company hopes to inspire other companies to take bolder actions against climate change by phasing out diesel cars and engaging in discussions at Climate Week NYC.
Volvo Cars’ decision to end diesel production by 2024 reflects the rapidly changing landscape in the automotive industry and evolving customer demand in response to the climate crisis. Just a few years ago, diesel engines were the mainstay in Europe, but now electrified models, including fully electric and plug-in hybrid cars, dominate the market. This shift is driven by changing market demand, stricter emission regulations, and Volvo Cars’ focus on electrification. Additionally, reducing the number of diesel cars on the road has a positive impact on urban air quality, as diesel engines emit more harmful gases like nitrogen oxide (NOx) compared to petrol engines, affecting air quality particularly in congested areas.
Stellantis, the multinational automotive company, is working towards a 50% reduction in battery weight by 2030. This goal is aimed at making electric vehicles (EVs) lighter and closer in weight to their traditional combustion-engine counterparts.
Ned Curic, head of engineering and technology at Stellantis, expressed the need to address the issue of heavy batteries in EVs. He stated, “The battery today is just too heavy; the vehicle is too heavy. We shouldn’t be going backwards.”
To achieve this weight reduction, Stellantis plans to introduce new lightweight battery technologies and improve cell packaging efficiency.
Earlier this year, Stellantis made an investment in Lytten, a Silicon Valley company focused on developing lighter lithium-sulphur batteries. These batteries not only reduce weight but also cut costs and carbon emissions by using less exotic materials than conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Curic also mentioned sodium-ion batteries as a potential alternative. This technology, being developed by Chinese battery manufacturers like CATL, offers a much cheaper option.
A recent report by UBS, which included a teardown of the BYD Seal saloon, revealed the weight of current EV batteries. The lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack in the standard 62kWh Seal accounted for 470kg of the car’s total weight of 1941kg. Similarly, the 60kWh battery pack in the Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric weighed 394kg out of the car’s overall weight of 1783kg.
To support their battery development efforts, Stellantis has established the Mirafiori battery technology center in Turin, Italy. This facility will be utilized for designing, developing, and testing battery packs, high-voltage cells, modules, and software for upcoming models from Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Fiat, Peugeot, Vauxhall, and more. The company has invested €40 million (£34.3m) in repurposing a section of a former Fiat factory to create this facility. It features 32 climatic test chambers, enabling the simultaneous testing of up to 47 battery packs.
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