Automotive Industry Puts Sustainability in the Fast Lane

The automotive industry is going through a metamorphosis. With the global priority to reduce climate change putting the shift from gas-powered to electric vehicles in high speed, automakers are leading the way to meet evolving industry standards for safety, emissions testing and energy efficiency while at the same time meeting consumer expectations and demand.  

According to the International Energy Agency, EV sales hit a record in 2022 with sales exceeding 10 million worldwide, and in the U.S. — the third-largest market — electric car sales increased 55%. Consumers also have an increasing number of electric vehicles to choose from with available EV models reaching 500 in 2022, which is more than double the number models in the market in 2018. 

As the automotive industry continues its electrical transformation, here is look at the efforts leading automakers are taking to pave the way for a more sustainable future. 

Ford Motor Co. 

In its 2023 Integrated Sustainability and Financial Report, Ford detailed its progress on creating a more sustainable, inclusive and equitable transportation future. In the report, the company shared new data showing it’s on track to achieve carbon neutrality no later than 2050 across its vehicles, operations and supply chain. It also highlights progress on initiatives aligned with the company’s commitment to source raw materials that are responsibly produced and make its EV and battery supply chain more transparent. 

“In 2022, we made a number of advancements toward carbon neutrality, including introducing new exciting EVs, upgrading our facilities, investing in carbon-free and renewable electricity, and using our purchasing power to help scale low-carbon materials,” said Cynthia Williams, global director of sustainability, homologation and compliance at Ford. “We’re also creating new visibility and accountability for a global EV and battery supply chain that upholds our values. This is how we can help build a more sustainable, equitable and inclusive transportation future.”  

In addition to plans for investing more than $50 billion globally through 2026 to develop and manufacture EVs and batteries, the report also included the following highlights: 

• Ford estimated that lifetime vehicle carbon dioxide emissions may be reduced by as much as 60% for consumers driving a Ford EV versus a similar internal combustion engine vehicle. 
• From 2017 to 2022, Ford reduced emissions from its manufacturing facilities by 40%. In 2022, 60% of the electricity the company used was carbon-free. 
• The company has conducted 30 supplier audits along select critical mineral battery supply chains at all tiers to the mine site, and it audited its nickel, lithium and cobalt due-diligence management systems. 

General Motors 

According to General Motors’ 2022 Sustainability Report, the company highlighted its progress toward achieving of an all-electric future along with investments to rapidly scale EV production capacity, partnerships to improve the sustainability of GM’s supply chain and efforts made to secure the renewable energy needed to power its U.S. sites by 2025. 

“At GM, the focus of our impact is on helping to create an all-electric future that works for everyone,” said Kristen Siemen, GM chief sustainability officer. “Beyond manufacturing EVs that are affordable and accessible, we’re working to improve our supply chain, investing in communities and advancing clean energy solutions. It’s a big mission, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and our tenacity to lead the way.” 

In addition to reaffirming the company’s commitment to carbon neutrality in its global productions and operations by 2040, GM detailed several investments in EV and battery cell manufacturing to scale up its production footprint for the capacity to build 1 million EVs in North America in 2025:   

• Opened its first Ultium Cells LLC battery manufacturing plant in Warren, Ohio, in August 2022 and is planning to open additional facilities in mid-2023 (Spring Hill, Tennessee) and late 2024 (Lansing, Michigan).  
• Finalized energy sourcing agreements in late 2022 to secure 100% of the energy needed to power all U.S. facilities from renewable energy by 2025, demonstrating tangible progress in reducing emissions in its business operations. 
• Announced plans in 2023 for a joint investment of more than $3 billion with Samsung SDI to build a new battery cell manufacturing plant in the U.S. that is targeted to begin operations in 2026.  

Stellantis 

In its second Corporate Social Responsibility Report, Stellantis (the maker of 14 vehicle brands including Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep and Ram) outlined its progress toward achieving its commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2038.  

“We know the role and responsibility we have in addressing the environmental and social challenges that face our world, including embracing innovative solutions to preserve freedom of mobility for all,” said Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO. “With a holistic, 360-degree stakeholder approach, we’ve made strong progress toward our ambitious target of carbon net zero by 2038, helping to protect the planet and, with it, the future of our company.” 

According to the report, Stellantis said that in 2022 it achieved an 11% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in all scopes aligned to its Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan and is focusing on implementing its scope 3 decarbonization strategy for sustainable products and services through the electrification of products; the inclusion of the greenhouse gas emission criteria for the selection of suppliers of most emitting materials; and the rigorous, 360-degree approach to circular economy. 

EV Automakers 

In addition to the major U.S. automakers, Tesla showcased the efforts the company has made in becoming an auto industry sustainability leader in its latest Impact Report:  

• Tesla customers avoided releasing about 13.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2022.  
• Last year, the company also produced and delivered more than 1.3 million EVs globally. 
• A single Tesla vehicle avoids nearly 55 tons of carbon emissions after 17 years of driving — the average life of a vehicle in the U.S. 

Electric vehicle-maker Rivian teamed up with fellow EV pioneer Polestar to release a new Pathway Report, which concludes that the automotive industry is set to overshoot the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 1.5-degree pathway by at least 75% by 2050. Despite the somber forecast, the report suggests the auto industry still has the opportunity to get back on track and recommended immediate, clear actions car manufacturers can take between now and 2030. 

Recently, Lucid demonstrated its commitment to sustainable by joining the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative to mobilize a global movement of sustainable companies and stakeholders.  

“Joining the UN Global Compact is a milestone in our sustainability journey and a symbol of our dedication to decarbonizing transportation worldwide,” said Peter Rawlinson, Lucid’s CEO and chief technology officer. “As an electric vehicle company relentlessly focused on engineering and performance, our in-house technology enables Lucid Air to generate more range with less energy than any other electric vehicle.” 

JVIS 

Like many of our OEM partners, JVIS maintains a strong commitment to sustainability. 

In fact, JVIS has gone above and beyond state and federal requirements to set more comprehensive sustainability and environmental health goals for several years. Some of our internal goals include: 

• Electricity reduction. 
• Investment in energy-reducing and environmentally friendly machinery. 
• Reduction of heat emissions. 
• Reduction of hazardous waste. 
• Decrease noise pollution. 
• Decrease air pollution. 
• Achieve zero waste and no scraps. 
• Reduce, reuse, recycle. 

JVIS’ leadership team is heavily involved in driving our sustainability, environmental programs and operations. The team has weekly, if not daily, conversations on monitoring goals and procedures. Yet, our commitment to sustainability is not just a top-level focus — it is deeply embedded in JVIS at all levels. 

The past two years have brought tremendous change and innovation to the auto industry, which in turn has elevated its ability to be resilient and proactive to the tides of time. The push toward sustainability and electrification is living proof of auto companies are merging their competitive drive with their shared commitment to the safety and future of their customers, communities and the world.  

JVIS is proud to partner with automakers leading this monumental transition to a safer, cleaner industry and world. 

To learn more about JVIS, visit jvis.us.