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Volvo Cars has marked a significant sustainability achievement with its Taizhou manufacturing plant in China switching to biogas , making it the company ’ s first climate-neutral facility in the country . This transition from natural gas to biogas will cut over 7,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually from the plant .
The Taizhou plant , which was already utilising climate-neutral electricity , primarily sourced from on-site solar panels and supplemented by gridsourced solar energy , now also benefits from climate-neutral heating . This makes it Volvo ’ s second global facility , following the Torslanda plant in Sweden , to reach complete climate neutrality .
The switch to biogas is part of Volvo Cars ’ broader environmental strategy , which aims for climate-neutral manufacturing by 2025 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 . This bold initiative underscores the company ’ s commitment to reducing emissions not just internally but across its entire supply chain .
Javier Varela , COO and Deputy CEO at Volvo Cars , emphasised the importance of adapting region-specific , sustainable energy solutions to meet these ambitious goals .
Antolin and VIA optronics AG have unveiled the Sunrise vehicle cockpit concept at the Embedded World exhibition in Nuremberg , showcasing their collaborative effort in automotive innovation . The Sunrise cockpit is designed to support seamless transitions between manual and autonomous driving modes , featuring integrated display systems throughout the vehicle ’ s interior . This new concept leverages cutting-edge technology to enhance user experience and functionality , focusing on minimalist design and immersive ambient lighting that enhances safety by reducing driver distractions .
The cockpit utilises environmentally friendly materials and advanced display integration across various components including the dashboard , door panels , and seat headrests . The design philosophy behind Sunrise aligns with both companies ’ commitment to sustainability and responsible manufacturing . These innovative features are anticipated to set new benchmarks in vehicle interior design , emphasizing user-friendly and adaptable environments suitable for both current and future automotive markets .
HUBER + SUHNER has launched the RADOX EV-C 2 , an advanced high-voltage connection system designed to enhance the reliability of heavy-duty electric vehicles ( EVs ) like eBuses and eTrucks . Engineered to withstand harsh driving conditions , the RADOX EV-C 2 effectively counters the impacts of shocks and vibrations , ensuring uninterrupted vehicle performance . This latest iteration builds upon the successful 2019 EV-C system , featuring improvements such as enhanced tightness and mechanical resistance due to its precoated thread , quicker installation , and an advanced sealing concept suitable for thin-wall applications . It also complies with the RoHS 3 environmental directive .
Robert Weirauch , Senior Product Manager at HUBER + SUHNER , emphasized the growing global presence of heavy-duty EVs and the critical need for durable connection systems that can handle severe mechanical loads . The RADOX EV-C 2 minimises the risk of system failures and enhances safety against high-voltage hazards under intense conditions .
ISSUE 46 APRIL 2024 / WWW . AFMA . ORG . AU 43