The Concept ReCharge: Volvo’s path towards sustainable mobility

Volvo Cars is taking steps in electric car development to reduce its cars’ and its overall carbon footprint with the Concept Recharge. The company plans to sell only fully electric cars by 2030 and aims to be a climate neutral and circular business by 2040.

By using sustainable materials inside the car, equipping it with tires from recycled and renewable material, and improving aerodynamics, Volvo wants to take huge steps reducing its carbon impact through the car itself.

When combining those steps with the use of clean energy throughout a decarbonized supply chain, manufacturing process and use phase of the car, Volvo believes it can reduce a car's lifecycle CO₂ impact by 80% versus a 2018 Volvo XC60.

The Concept Recharge would have a life cycle CO₂ impact below 10 tons, when charged with 100 per cent renewable energy.

“As we enter the age of the electric car, how far you can drive on a full charge will be a key consideration,” says, Volvo’s Head of Strategic and Brand Design Owen Ready. “The easy approach is to add more batteries, but it is not the same as simply adding a bigger fuel tank today – batteries add weight and increase carbon footprint. Instead, we must increase overall efficiency to increase range. With Concept Recharge we explore the tension between the need for efficiency and the desire for the same space, convenience and driving experience as in today’s SUVs.”

Volvo is working with sustainable and natural materials in its cars, and the Concept Recharge is another proof point of its commitment to push forward with this ambition.

The interior design is rich in sustainable materials, both natural and recycled materials, responsibly sourced Swedish wool, environmentally responsible textiles and lightweight composites created from natural sources.

Responsibly sourced Swedish wool is transformed into fully natural breathable cloth, free from additives. This warm and soft material is used in the seat backrest and instrument panel top. Meanwhile, the floor and lower doors are covered by a rich carpet of 100 per cent wool.

The seat cushions and touch surfaces on the door are made from an environmentally responsible material that contains Tencel fibers from cellulose. This fabric has a great durable strength and is soft to the skin. By using Tencel fibers, which have been produced through a highly water- and energy-efficient process, Volvo designers can reduce the use of plastics in interior parts.

The seat backs and headrests, as well as part of the steering wheel, use a new material created by Volvo called Nordico, made from bio-based and recycled ingredients that come from sustainable forests in Sweden and Finland, providing a CO₂ footprint that is 74% lower than leather.

In the lower storage areas, back of the headrest and the footrest, the Concept Recharge uses a flax composite, developed by Volvo in collaboration with suppliers. It uses fibers from the linseed plant, mixed with composites to provide a strong and lightweight, yet attractive and natural aesthetic.

On the exterior, the front and rear bumpers as well as the sill moldings consist of flax composite, resulting in a significant reduction of plastics used.

“With the Concept Recharge, we’ve created a comfortable and functional family space,” says Volvo’s Head of Interior Design Lisa Reeves. “The cabin offers sophisticated forms through the use of natural materials and the harmonization of textures and tones, reflecting the timeless elegance of premium Scandinavian design.”

With the internal combustion engine making way for the pure electric powertrain, tires play a more important role. They’re crucial for safety and contribute largely to the vehicle’s battery range.

The Concept Recharge feature special tires made by Pirelli, completely free from mineral oil and are made from 94% fossil-free materials, including recycled and renewable materials like natural rubber, bio-silica, rayon, and bio-resin. This reflects the circular approach shared by Volvo and Pirelli, with a focus on reducing resource consumption and environmental impact.

The Concept Recharge also improves the environmental credibility of SUVs through efficiency and aerodynamics as Volvo incorporates exterior design details that smooth the airflow, a new wheel design, a lower roof, and a more upright rear end.

Volvo takes the classic SUV shape and improves airflow to increase range while offering space opportunities that come with an electric car and its lower floor.

“While consumers continue to drive demand for the benefits of SUVs, we are determined to produce cars that offer all the safety and comfort they look for, as well as slash their environmental impact,” says Owen Ready.