Volvo Cars is significantly cutting CO2 emissions in its logistics operations by transporting cars between factories and new car depots by train instead of truck.
By using rail transport between its Belgian factory and a depot in northern Italy, it has reduced CO2 emissions by almost 75% .
And between Belgium and a depot in Austria, it almost halved emissions by switching to rail transport.
Both initiatives are part of Volvo’s climate action plan to reduce its carbon footprint per car by 40% between 2018 and 2025; that will require a 25% cut in operational emissions, including logistics. The 2025 plan is a step towards Volvo Cars’ ambition of becoming climate neutral by 2040.
Volvo is also using rail transport more widely in China and the USA. Trains take cars from its Chinese factories to the Belgian port of Ghent twice a week. Other trains deliver new Volvos to regional depots in China and in Russia.
In North America, the company’s South Carolina factory sends cars by train to cities across country, replacing dozens of trucks each week.
Volvo Cars climate action plan is in line with the 2015 Paris climate agreement which seeks to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Volvo says all-out electrification isn’t enough to reduce the company’s environmental impact so it’s tackling carbon emissions in its factories, its wider operations, its supply chain and through recycling and reuse of materials.
Its commitment to electrified cars is reflected by its recently launched Recharge car line which use all-electric or hybrid powertrains.
