Together for more climate protection

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time. To meet the goals set out in the Paris climate agreement, a reduction of CO2 emissions in the transport sector is necessary.

Of course, we want to live up to this responsibility. In pursuit of the goal to create an entirely electric model fleet, Volkswagen invests in a holistic approach: Mobility for a future that is not only electrifying, but also sustainable.

Illustration of a Volkswagen electric vehicle and wind turbines.

On the road to a climate-neutral mobility

Electric vehicles are highly energy efficient. Did you know you can drive 3 to 4 times further in an electric car with the same amount of energy than with a combustion engine? However, there are a couple of challenges on the road to a more sustainable mobility that we want to master with you: 

On one hand, the production of electric vehicles, particularly of the battery, requires more energy than that of a vehicle with a combustion engine. On the other hand, the potential for savings during the use phase depends of the kind of energy you use to charge your electric vehicle. 

Map, range comparison combustion cars vs electric vehicles
Chart comparison of ranges combustion engine

In order to ensure that the extra amount of energy required during production does not lead to a larger carbon footprint when your car is delivered, we have set ourselves the goal to be the first manufacturer to deliver the new electric ID.3 climate-neutral as a standard. This will allow you to start off with a better carbon dioxide balance.

Nature, climate protection, electric vehicle, ID.3

During the use phase, we support you with a range of offers for charging with green power to help you further reduce your carbon footprint.

Find out more about charging station tariffs here.

Find out more about electric car carbon footprint

What we do to protect the climate

Emissions are created during the entire life cycle of an electric vehicle. To reduce them sustainably, we follow this principle:

Avoid first, then reduce and finally compensate unavoidable emissions – with projects to protect the climate.

Our holistic approach begins with measures to increase energy efficiency and the use of green power in our plant in Zwickau. Additionally, our suppliers are obliged to use green power in the production of battery cells.

Illustration life cycle of the ID.3
ID.3 lifecycle: supply chain, production, use and recycling

The unavoidable amount of emissions during the production phase will be reduced step by step and until then it will be compensated through certified climate protection projects. This will help us to reach our goal to deliver your ID.3 with a 100 percent CO2-neutral footprint.

To enable you to drive climate-neutral during the use phase of your electric car, we offer you a wide range of options to charge green power– at home, in the city and everywhere in between.

The proportion of unavoidable emissions during the manufacturing phase will be successively reduced and balanced out through certified climate projects until they have been entirely eliminated. This enables us to hand over your ID.3 with a neutral climate balance.

These projects work to protect forests in tropical areas, where the largest amounts of carbon per hectare are sequestered, and develop renewable energies. 

Over the middle term, our goal is to develop new forest conservation projects in South America and Malaysia that not only contribute to climate protection, but also support the local population over the long term and help preserve biodiversity in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Volkswagen is carrying out these projects in cooperation with other partners. We are currently working with the project developer Permian Global, for example.

Until our own projects have been completed, we will support Permian Global's current project portfolio to ensure the CO2 neutral handover of ID.3.

What you can do to protect the climate

We are responsible for the climate-neutral production of your electric vehicle. You are responsible for the climate-neutral use of your car. We offer climate-friendly solutions for all charging scenarios:

At Volkswagen, we are supporting the expansion of green energy and the necessary infrastructure (Wallbox) through our new energy service provider Elli (short for Electric Life).

By actively encouraging the provision of green energy charging stations through your employer, you are also making a contribution.

Gallery featuring green energy providers Elli as well as charging infrastructure and Volkswagen We app.

Green energy offering by Volkswagen

When renewable energy meets sustainable mobility, Elli is here for you.

In 2018, Elli was founded by Volkswagen and will be the first provider on the market to offer a seamless and holistic charging and energy experience. For example, Elli offers sustainable energy from 100 % renewable energy facilities. Certified and controlled by the TÜV Nord (technical inspection association). This allows you to charge your electric vehicle CO2-free and provides you with green energy everywhere in your house.

Elli logo, wind turbines, solar cells, infrastructure

Our electric vision

A yellow VW ID.4 parked in the middle of a road at night

Our electric vision

Volkswagen’s future is electric. We’re committed to developing cars and technologies that open up the possibilities of electric driving to all. Making the switch to electric not only benefits the environment, it could also help you save money and discover a new and exciting way to drive.

Electric pedigree

The development of our revolutionary ID. range didn’t happen overnight. Our electric history first started in 1970. Let us take you back to the start of our journey towards a more sustainable future.

Leading the way

Our goal isn’t just to sell electric cars. We are designing a range of vehicles with high performance, that go further and put efficiency at the heart of their design.

Should you go electric?

Technology

Our pure electric cars

Lithium-ion batteries, of the type used in most electric vehicles (including Volkswagen electric vehicles) have a restricted lifespan. Battery capacity will reduce over time, with use and charging. Reduction in battery capacity will affect the performance of the vehicle, including the range achievable, and may impact resale value. New car performance figures (including battery capacity and range) may be provided for the purposes of comparison between vehicles. You should not rely on new car performance figures (including battery capacity and range), in relation to used vehicles with older batteries, as they will not reflect used vehicle performance in the real world. For further information on battery degradation/preservation please visit: www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/electric-and-hybrid/should-you-go-electric/servicing/battery-maintenance-and-waranty.html

Important information :

^If you are selecting a Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 or ID.7 then prices shown are the MDP (Manufacturer's Direct Price).  This is the price set by Volkswagen which you pay for the vehicle.  Volkswagen ID vehicles are sold by Volkswagen UK, a trading division of Volkswagen Group United Kingdom Limited (please note that you will need to visit an authorised Volkswagen Retailer (acting as agent for Volkswagen UK) to order, purchase and take delivery of your Volkswagen ID vehicle).  The MDP includes delivery to an authorised Volkswagen Retailer (acting as agent for Volkswagen UK), number plates, new vehicle registration fee, the first year's Vehicle Excise Duty and VAT (calculated at 20%).  You can find out more about the Volkswagen model for selling ID vehicles by clicking https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/legal/mdp-explained.html.

If you are selecting any other Volkswagen vehicle (excluding the Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID.7) then prices listed are Manufacturer’s ‘On the road’ Recommended Retail Price. Actual prices are set by Volkswagen authorised retailers in their sole discretion – always obtain these prices from your chosen Volkswagen Retailer.  Recommended On-The-Road (OTR) retail prices include: delivery charge, number plates, new vehicle registration fee, the first year's Vehicle Excise Duty and VAT (calculated at 20%). 

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information above. Prices are taken from the Volkswagen website - this website contains a large number of products and it is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the products listed may be incorrectly priced. Volkswagen may change prices at any time (this includes where there are government changes in regulation and/or legislation). There may be a delay to any price displaying correctly on our materials and it is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some vehicles may be incorrectly priced. Always check prices with your local retailer.

For fuel consumption and CO2 information for vehicles, view values in the configurator.

Please be advised we may not be able to provide valuations for vehicles which are outside certain age or mileage ranges, specialist or customised, or not registered in the UK. The actual sale price is dependent on a number of additional factors, which you can discuss further with your retailer. T&Cs will apply.