Volkswagen is making its all-electric ID.family more sustainable by choosing materials with less environmental impact for its interiors.

During the course of this year, ID.3, I.D.4, I.D.5, and ID.7 will have some of the materials already used in the ID Buzz, which compromises a large number of new materials in the interiors. 

These materials will be introduced to the ID. family gradually. Some examples include, materials made of ocean plastic or old PET bottles (63 500ml bottles) are used in numerous places in the interior of the Volkswagen bus. Seaqual yarn, which is comprised of 10% marine debris and 90% recycled PES yarn, is utilised in the outer material of a seat cover. This saves 32% of CO2 emissions compared with conventional materials. 

Silke Bagschik, Head of Product Line E-Mobility, explained: “Through the widespread use of recycled materials and the animal-leather-free interior in our ID. models, we are further improving the eco-balance of our vehicles – with high demands on haptic and long-term quality. The feedback from our customers confirms that we will continue to expand these sustainable approaches in the future.”

In seat covers with ArtVelours Eco®, the recycling share is 71 per cent. In addition, the surfaces of the headliner and floor covering in the ID. Buzz are made completely from recycled polyester. 

Recycled plastics can also be found in the insulating layer of the carpet. The same applies to components such as the underbody cladding and the wheel housing liners.

The chrome for trim parts on the doors, instrument panel, and steering wheel clip of the ID. Buzz has been replaced by liquid paint with a chrome look that has a biobased binder. 

By 2030, Volkswagen is aiming to cut carbon emissions per vehicle by 40 per cent, and the company plans to become climate-neutral by 2050 at the latest. To achieve these goals, VW analyses and optimises the complete vehicle life cycle: from basic research, through development and production, up to end-of-life recycling. Volkswagen claims that it strives to realise closed material cycles for all the raw materials used. 

Image credit: Volkswagen