Audi’s Efforts to Help the Planet
Audi – ‘the brand with the four rings’ – has been around since 1909. While it may not have been one of their biggest concerns back then; environmental sustainability is certainly on their mind now. Having just recently announced a new A3 model that will be powered entirely by a synthetic replica of natural gas; they are putting a bigger effort than ever into promoting their awareness for the automotive industry to play their part in the protection of the environment.
Pleasing the Consumer
Audi have said their development of this upcoming ‘natural gas’ powered car came from the increasing desire from consumers to have access to vehicles that are more fuel efficient and less harmful to their surroundings. This A3 will reportedly be able to travel more than 800 miles on just one full tank. It will run on a combustion system called the ‘g-tron’ and will emit less than 30g of unwanted chemicals per kilometre. Considering that the Volkswagen Group’s target is general emissions of 90g per kilometre by 2020, for Audi to already have a model so environmentally friendly is a real triumph. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits for the consumer lies in the cost however; as fuelling one of these will set you back less than half of what it does to fill a car with petrol or diesel.
A History of Helping
Seeking ways to reduce damage to the planet’s atmosphere is not an entirely new concept for Audi. They have been champions among the industry for the promotion of greener methods for years now. Favouring a holistic approach, every aspect of the design process takes the environment into account; from the materials used on the body of the cars, to making sure they are aerodynamic, to ensuring that resources are protected and renewable.
Audi even produce a magazine called ‘Encounter’, which focusses entirely on the environmental activities of the company. Full of facts, figures and featured articles, the magazine aims to give employees and consumers alike a detailed insight as to the processes behind economical design, production and manufacture.
Commitment to Reducing Carbon
One of the most harmful aspects of the automotive industry is CO2 emissions from vehicles. Thus, this has become a priority for Audi; having been responsible for the plantation of 36,000 young oak trees, which essentially act as sponges to soak up extra carbon dioxide that is in the atmosphere. This research experiment has been met with much praise from environmentalists the world over and a second site with an additional 13,000 trees has already begun production, with plans to establish these sites internationally.
Audi have even supposedly managed to develop a type of compressed natural gas that is entirely carbon neutral in one of their factories. This could undoubtedly lead to fantastic improvements within the industry as a whole.
The Future is Green
In addition to the continuation of their ‘oak forest CO2 reservoir’ scheme, Audi have further plans to become even more focused on environmental preservation; with electric powered cars, petrol-electric hybrids and more eco-friendly engines all on the agenda for the near future. Audi were one of the first manufacturers to be awarded the ‘emblem for outstanding environmental protection’ by the European Union and they do not plan on handing it back any time soon. For now, they will continue to be trailblazers in the conservation of our fragile planet.
Photo Credit: Audi USA Facebook