Automotive Industry Accelerates 'Carbon Neutrality' in Vehicle Lifecycle... Exhibition Events Also Emerge

Audi Volkswagen Korea is holding the 'Go to Zero' exhibition until the 13th of next month, introducing its future vision for carbon neutrality. CEO Leje Koneveag is posing next to Audi Volkswagen's dedicated electric vehicle platform.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Automakers are actively working to reduce carbon emissions, which are considered the main cause of climate change and greenhouse gases. Companies are also creating events to raise awareness about the necessity of carbon neutrality.

According to the industry on the 31st, automakers worldwide have been continuously announcing carbon neutrality plans since the beginning of this year.

First, Hyundai Motor Group launched the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the first electric vehicle applying the dedicated electric vehicle platform E-GMP, earlier this year, and plans to release the Kia EV6 and Genesis JW (project name) in the second half of the year. Hyundai Motor Group aims to develop 23 electric vehicle models by 2025 and supply various hydrogen vehicles, including the successor model to Nexo, to promote eco-friendly vehicle sales.

On the 24th, Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, stated at the pre-event of the 2021 P4G Seoul Green Future Summit, "We will promote carbon neutrality at all stages of automobile production, operation, and disposal to contribute to the realization of a global circular economy society."

Among imported car companies actively promoting carbon neutrality in the domestic market recently is Audi Volkswagen Korea. Audi Volkswagen is holding the "goTOzero" exhibition at the Seoul Wave Art Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, until the 13th of next month, raising awareness of climate change and the need to reduce carbon footprints. The Audi Volkswagen Group plans to invest 35 billion euros (47.6 trillion KRW) in electrification by 2025 and reduce the carbon footprint in the production stage by 45%.

Audi Volkswagen is not only emphasizing carbon neutrality at this exhibition but also displaying actual electric vehicles such as the dedicated electric vehicle platforms MEB (Volkswagen), MLB evo (Audi), the Audi e-tron and Volkswagen ID.4 to be released next year, and the ID.3 currently being tested domestically. Prior to this, Audi also unveiled the Audi RS e-tron GT and e-tron GT, which will be introduced in the second half of this year.

Ford recently set a goal to make 40% of its total vehicle production electric vehicles to achieve carbon neutrality. Accordingly, it plans to invest 30 billion dollars (about 33.51 trillion KRW) by 2025, an increase of 8 billion dollars (about 8.92 trillion KRW) from the investment target set in February this year, focusing on electric vehicles, parts, and infrastructure. GM has also set a goal of zero waste by 2030 and aims to reduce energy intensity by 35% compared to 2010 by 2035. Notably, GM plans to produce only electric vehicles by 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.

German automaker Daimler announced it would release electric or hybrid models for each Mercedes-Benz model by 2022, and BMW Group plans to increase electric vehicle sales by 50% annually until 2025.

Volvo Cars, which has set a goal to become a fully climate-neutral company by 2040, has completed climate neutrality at its Sk?vde engine plant and Torslanda plant in Sweden and aims to complete a climate-neutral manufacturing network and electrify its entire lineup by 2025.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.