Volvo’s new S80, available in Europe, is the first car to be put through the paces of life cycle analysis. Its five-cylinder engine of 140 bhp is rated at EEG 93/116 for fuel consumption; it weighs 1,500 kg and has a top speed of over 200 km/h.
Volvo’s Environmental Priorities System analyzes the environmental impact of every material element in the vehicle including mining, production of raw materials, transportation of the products, vehicle manufacture, what the vehicle will consume during its use, and finally, its disposal.
The Volvo MOTIV Chemical Database details the environmental and health effects of
each chemical used in the manufacturing of its cars, as well as 2000 chemicals the company will not use such as CFCs, halogens, and chlorinated paraffins.
The company has started the “Environmental Car Recycling in Scandanavia” program which dismantles vehicles to minimize environmental impact and finds markets for
recycled materials.
A bi-fuel version of the S80 will be introduced this year, which will run on a choice of methane (natural gas or biogas) or petrol.
Loading...