Major car manufacturers across the globe are producing new sustainable, cruelty-free material choices for the latest additions to their model range. Leather is no longer leading the way – modern motorists are favouring inventive alternatives like bamboo and even pineapple.
But simply picking a leather alternative doesn’t mean that a car is vegan or the most eco-friendly choice. Lease Fetcher has created a comprehensive guide to help consumers pick a model that is in line with their value system.
A simple way to determine the ethical and environmentally-friendly status of a car is to break your examination down into three main areas:
- Interior
- Structure and Exterior
- Brand Attitude and Values
Interior
A car’s interior contains some obvious non-vegan materials. Leather can be found on the seat covers, steering wheel, gear shift, door and dash trim and sometimes even in the binding of floor mats.
Major manufacturers are producing alternative, sustainable and vegan options for today’s discerning consumers. All-electric Tesla have 100% vegan interiors, using Alcantara, which brands like Audi also use. Bentley produce a grape leather, Toyota produce Softex, and Mercedes-Benz have created Artico (or Artificial Cow), to name a few.
The floor mats may also be produced using other animal-derived materials, like mohair. Opt for hard-wearing rubber or carpet mats instead.
Surprisingly, the infotainment screen may not be vegan – often, LCD screens used liquid crystals based on animal cholesterol. The only way to verify the source is to contact the manufacturer.
Structure and Exterior
The steel frame that forms the structure of the car itself may not be vegan. The steel is lubricated with fat, which may come from an animal. Like the LCD screen, the only way to confirm its vegan status is to contact the manufacturer.
Moreover, the tyres may be problematic. Depending on the manufacturer, these could be produced using plant or animal-derived stearic acid. Major tyre producers like Michelin and Kenda produce all-vegan tyres, whilst other brands have options which you need to enquire about.
It is important to bear in mind, however, that veganism is not about being 100% perfect – it is about striving to for perfection as far as is practical. Dominika Piasecka of the Vegan Society has said “Avoiding leather is a practical thing we can do while buying a car, while we can’t of course avoid tyres or steel.”
Brand Attitude and Values
The final area to examine looks beyond the physical aspects of a car. Modern consumers are aware that brands may be guilty of “greenwashing”, where they deceptively market themselves and their products as being in line with environmentally-friendly values. For vegan and/or eco-conscious consumers to feel comfortable purchasing a car, they must look at the business practices of the car manufacturer beyond the composition of the car itself.
Although not a common practice today, there has been controversy in recent years in regards to car manufacturers and animal testing. Brands like Volkswagen (owners of several other brands such as Audi, Skoda, SEAT, and Porsche), BMW (owners of MINI and Rolls-Royce), and Daimler (owners of SMART and Mercedes) were found testing diesel emissions on monkeys. Some consumers may not feel comfortable paying a company with a poor track history like this.
Moreover, looking at the ratio of vegan product to non-vegan products will give an indication of the depth of commitment of a brand to eco and ethical causes. Brands like Land Rover offer Suedecloth, a leather-free alternative, however they offer a Range Rover with leather steering wheel, seats, headlining, pillow pack, and Mohair floor mats. Brands like Tesla offer only 100% vegan interiors.
On a similar note, a brand’s commitment to the environment through the production of electric or hybrid cars should also be considered. Most brands have at least one electric model on the market. There are still many brands, however, who have not made strides yet. Technology has come so far and consumer demand is there, so a vegan or eco-conscious consumer must ask themselves why these brands have not entered this market yet.
Cruelty-Free Choices
Picking a new car as a vegan or eco-conscious individual is not the easiest feat in the world, but it is not impossible. This checklist of factors to consider makes the process easier.
