Volkswagen I.D. to be first carbon-neutral car

Volkswagen has clamped down on its entire global supply chain as it chases the benchmark of making its first mass-produced electric car carbon-neutral.

Due to launch at the end of this year, the I.D. hatchback – expected to be called the Neo -- will lead a €10 billion plan for more than 10 EVs by 2025, including the ambitious target to make the entire Volkswagen Group carbon-neutral by 2050.

The first I.D. model is planned to launch with three battery capacities and, therefore, ranges to undercut Hyundai’s surprise-hit Kona Electric and Kia’s e-Niro, while still having significant range at the top end of the pricing structure.

While 65 to 70 per cent of a vehicle’s 40 to 50 tonnes of total lifetime CO2 emissions come from actual driving, about 15 per cent can be traced back to its production.

Volkswagen’s I.D. production will see its factories converted to run on renewables like solar and wind power, along with natural gas and battery storage.

Volkswagen has also promised to audit its suppliers to ensure they use green energy in delivering the I.D.’s extensive parts list.

It has also promised to offset other emissions with “social and ecological” programs centred on threatened eco-systems in Brazil and Asia.

The German car-maker will also lean heavily on renewable energy sources to power up its Elli wallbox chargers and the multi-manufacturer Ionity charging network across Europe.