ROMA – Let’s face it frankly: the electric turnaround imposed by Europe on the auto industry is still perplexing. The problems related to it are many and certainly difficult to solve, moreover in a relatively short time like the one that separates us from 2035. Someone twists and turns and many raise objections to a goal that cannot be taken for granted, with the first obstacle represented by the need to have sufficient clean electricity. Among the first brands to do so, Audi has in any case already prepared a medium and long-term program to adapt to future regulations. From 2026 it will only make electric cars, ceasing the production of thermal engines in 2033. The Ingolstadt company also aims to have a neutral budget in terms of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. To achieve this, it is not enough just to decide to produce electric cars. Extensive support developments are needed, starting with the conversion of the factories, alongside the Audi CO program to begin2 which plans to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of each car sold by 1.2 tons over its life cycle. The factories are also expected to halve water consumption by 2025, also thanks to the reuse of part of that used in production.
Probably, the main problem to be solved by adopting the electric breakthrough is that of providing renewable energy. Audi certainly can’t solve it on its own, as they need dedicated infrastructure from suppliers and government agencies. For its part, the German brand is engaging with the support of the Ionity network and the sustainable energy offer of the Volkswagen group. There are also projects for the construction of photovoltaic support systems, as well as dedicated wind farms.
In the scale of interventions for the reduction of CO2 the recycling of the materials used for the construction of cars also plays an important role. Already today, Audi uses fully recyclable aluminum and the plastic polymer PET, the one used for plastic bottles. Currently, 45 of them are used to cover the seat of an A3. Batteries are also already subject to targeted recycling and disposal at the group’s Salzgitter plant. Finally, the potential offered by technological innovation should not be forgotten, with solutions that will further reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Among the most recent are special filters for sediments, with a 360-degree search panorama in every useful sector.
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