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Volvo has won an award for its much-anticipated Polestar 2 car – its first fully electric mass-production vehicle with a vegan interior.
The company, which will display the Polestar 2 at the Geneva International Motor Show this week, is the recipient of a Compassionate Business Award from vegan charity PETA.
The award recognizes Volvo’s decision to ditch leather, with PETA saying it ‘ takes an average of three cows’ hides to cover the interior of one standard car’, adding that 130 chemicals are used in the tanning process, which is extremely environmentally destructive.
Vegan car
Speaking about the vehicle, Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Executive Officer of Polestar, said: “Polestar 2 is our first fully electric car and first volume model. Everything about it has been designed and engineered with passion and dedication.
“As an electric performance brand, and through the forthcoming launch of a portfolio of fully electric cars, Polestar is determined to address the world’s air quality challenges. Polestar delivers electric performance cars that are great to own and drive.”
Speaking about the interior, he described a video of the mass production of leather as ‘disturbing’ and added: “Our care for the environment goes beyond the electric drive chain. With the Polestar 2, we designed our interior offer to promote and accelerate the shift of the car industry towards leather-free interiors.”
‘Leather is toxic’
“The leather industry is as toxic to the Earth as it is cruel to cows,” PETA Director of Corporate Projects, Yvonne Taylor, said in a statement sent to Plant Based News.
“The Polestar 2’s innovative interiors will appeal to all compassionate, eco-minded consumers, and PETA looks forward to a day when animal-free fabrics are the go-to materials for all car manufacturers.”
Polestar joins several other luxury carmakers – including Tesla, Ferrari, and Mercedes-Benz – in offering high-performing vegan leather interiors.
