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Sustainable Innovation Driving Our Electric Transformation
With the rollout of six new electric models over the coming years, our journey is about more than just electrification. Each new Škoda car represents our promise to do better ‑ from improving fuel efficiency and cutting CO₂ emissions to fine-tuning aerodynamics and ensuring safety. Our commitment to a greener future also means building our vehicles with more sustainable, recyclable, and recycled materials.
Going above and beyond Legal Requirements
We not only meet but also strive to exceed legal requirements regarding the proportion of recycled and recyclable materials in new cars. European Directive 2000/53/EC, for example, mandates a minimum of 85% reusability and/or recyclability by weight per vehicle. This means that up to 85% of a new car can be constructed from a recycled old car.
Recycled Plastics
At Škoda, we’re integrating recycled PET bottles and other plastics into our new models. They find diverse applications, from interior fabrics to insulation and boot floor coverings. The Scala was a pioneer in this regard, incorporating a considerable amount of recycled plastic components. We’re raising the bar even higher with our second-generation Kodiaq and fourth-generation Superb, where all textiles, including the headliner, are crafted from recycled materials. This approach not only supports environmental sustainability but also offers surprising benefits, such as reduced vehicle weight, enhanced fuel efficiency, and lower emissions. Starting in 2025, our goal is to double the use of recycled plastics in our new all-electric models, aiming to incorporate 40 kg in each vehicle.
Recycled Plastics
At Škoda, we’re integrating recycled PET bottles and other plastics into our new models. They find diverse applications, from interior fabrics to insulation and boot floor coverings. The Scala was a pioneer in this regard, incorporating a considerable amount of recycled plastic components. We’re raising the bar even higher with our second-generation Kodiaq and fourth-generation Superb, where all textiles, including the headliner, are crafted from recycled materials. This approach not only supports environmental sustainability but also offers surprising benefits, such as reduced vehicle weight, enhanced fuel efficiency, and lower emissions. Starting in 2025, our goal is to double the use of recycled plastics in our new all-electric models, aiming to incorporate 40 kg in each vehicle.
Innovative Sustainable Materials for Interiors
With the all-electric Elroq, we’re expanding our use of recycled materials by introducing two sustainable innovations: RecyTitan and TechnoFil. You’ll find RecyTitan in the Loft interior, where it’s used for seat covers, the dashboard, door panels, and on the armrests and knee rests. This material is made of 78% recycled PET, 16% new PET, and 6% mechanically recycled fibres from post-consumer clothing, processed without harmful treatments. TechnoFil, which consists of 75% Econyl® nylon yarn and 25% PES, is featured in the Lodge interior. Econyl® is created from recycled nylon, sourced from discarded fishing nets, fabric scraps, and old carpets. What’s more, these fibres can be continuously recycled without any degradation in quality. Both materials emphasise Škoda’s commitment to protecting the environment and reducing our carbon footprint.
Eco-Friendly Leather Tanning
Our commitment to eco-friendly practices extends to the leather upholstery in our Enyaq, Kodiaq, and Superb models. Moving away from traditional chromium-based tanning, we use olive leaf extracts in the Enyaq, waste water from olive processing in the Superb, and residues from coffee bean processing in the Kodiaq. This repurposes what’s usually waste, resulting in a more environmentally conscious and healthier tanning process that benefits both our planet and customers.
Eco-Friendly Leather Tanning
Our commitment to eco-friendly practices extends to the leather upholstery in our Enyaq, Kodiaq, and Superb models. Moving away from traditional chromium-based tanning, we use olive leaf extracts in the Enyaq, waste water from olive processing in the Superb, and residues from coffee bean processing in the Kodiaq. This repurposes what’s usually waste, resulting in a more environmentally conscious and healthier tanning process that benefits both our planet and customers.
Attention to Detail
Škoda’s dedication to environmental responsibility is evident in every aspect of its vehicles. We’ve replaced the chrome accents inside and out with Unique Dark Chrome, a special matte paint. We’ve applied this innovative detail extensively to the latest generation of the Superb and Kodiaq models, including the D-pillar trim on our popular SUV.
Attention to Detail
Škoda’s dedication to environmental responsibility is evident in every aspect of its vehicles. We’ve replaced the chrome accents inside and out with Unique Dark Chrome, a special matte paint. We’ve applied this innovative detail extensively to the latest generation of the Superb and Kodiaq models, including the D-pillar trim on our popular SUV.
Putting our Customers’ Safety First
Your safety on the road is our top priority. That’s why we’re continually investing in the latest innovations and technology to ensure every ride is safe. Our mission is not only to raise the safety standards of our cars but also to set a higher bar for vehicles across the compact car segment. Škoda cars are among the safest in their class, a distinction reflected by their top scores in independent crash tests like the Euro NCAP.
Simply Clever Details
Škoda’s Simply Clever features reflect the essence of our vehicles. In line with our commitment to sustainability, we’ve thoughtfully redesigned some of them. Our iconic ice scraper, for example, is now made from environmentally friendly materials. But perhaps the most notable change is with the umbrellas housed in the doors. These have been re-engineered in every aspect – from their handles to the sleeve, and even the waterproof coating. The plastic components are now made from Trifilon Switch, a plant-based material that can be industrially composted. The canopy is crafted from recycled PET bottles, and its coating is entirely free of PFCs.
Simply Clever Details
Škoda’s Simply Clever features reflect the essence of our vehicles. In line with our commitment to sustainability, we’ve thoughtfully redesigned some of them. Our iconic ice scraper, for example, is now made from environmentally friendly materials. But perhaps the most notable change is with the umbrellas housed in the doors. These have been re-engineered in every aspect – from their handles to the sleeve, and even the waterproof coating. The plastic components are now made from Trifilon Switch, a plant-based material that can be industrially composted. The canopy is crafted from recycled PET bottles, and its coating is entirely free of PFCs.
Advancing Aerodynamics
Optimising aerodynamics is crucial to enhancing vehicle efficiency, whether it’s for internal combustion engines, plug-in hybrids, or all-electric models. At its launch, the Enyaq Coupé, for example, had the lowest drag coefficient in its class with a cD of 0.234. Through countless computer simulations and wind tunnel measurements, we continually improve the aerodynamics during the design and development process. Such enhancements considerably decrease both fuel and energy consumption, resulting in significantly lower emissions throughout the vehicle’s life cycle.
Pioneering Motorsport
The role of motorsport is to inspire and develop technologies that can eventually be integrated into production cars. For example, Škoda Motorsport uses fully synthetic, fossil-free fuel in its Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. Developed by P1 Fuels, this fuel operates on a sustainable closed carbon cycle: it’s produced using CO₂ captured from the atmosphere or biomass. After powering race cars, this CO₂ is released back into the air, where it can be recaptured to produce more synthetic fuel. Motorsport and sustainability also converge in concept electric vehicles like the Enyaq RS Race and the Vision Gran Turismo. The former is based on the production Enyaq Coupé RS and extensively incorporates biocomposite components made with mechanically processed flax fibres instead of traditional carbon fibres. These offer benefits such as lower production costs and a reduced environmental impact. Recycled materials, such as nylon and CO₂-neutral, biodegradable biopolymer fibres, were also used in the vehicle’s construction.
Pioneering Motorsport
The role of motorsport is to inspire and develop technologies that can eventually be integrated into production cars. For example, Škoda Motorsport uses fully synthetic, fossil-free fuel in its Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. Developed by P1 Fuels, this fuel operates on a sustainable closed carbon cycle: it’s produced using CO₂ captured from the atmosphere or biomass. After powering race cars, this CO₂ is released back into the air, where it can be recaptured to produce more synthetic fuel. Motorsport and sustainability also converge in concept electric vehicles like the Enyaq RS Race and the Vision Gran Turismo. The former is based on the production Enyaq Coupé RS and extensively incorporates biocomposite components made with mechanically processed flax fibres instead of traditional carbon fibres. These offer benefits such as lower production costs and a reduced environmental impact. Recycled materials, such as nylon and CO₂-neutral, biodegradable biopolymer fibres, were also used in the vehicle’s construction.
What the Future Holds
Our Technical Development department collaborates with several external teams, such as the Technical University of Liberec to research and develop sustainable materials. These include eco-materials derived from sugar beet pulp (patented) and miscanthus reed, which could potentially be used in our interiors. What’s more, we’re pursuing our ‘zero km waste’ initiative that focuses on recycling waste at the source and using renewable raw materials to produce regenerative HVO fuel, which can reduce net CO₂ emissions by up to 90%.
ZEvRA: An International Project to Improve the Sustainability of Electric Vehicles
As part of our commitment to sustainability, under the broader efforts of the Volkswagen Group, we’ve joined the ZEvRA (Zero Emission electric Vehicles enabled by haRmonised circulArity) project, which launched at the beginning of 2024. This EU-supported initiative brings together 28 partners from 11 countries and primarily aims to introduce or enhance circular economy principles along the entire value chain of electric vehicles, from the supply chain and manufacturing to end-of-life processes. To achieve this, the project involves developing tools, methodologies, and assessment mechanisms, with the tangible results being showcased through a concept car. We’re proud that our Enyaq model will be used as the basis of this demonstration vehicle.
ZEvRA: An International Project to Improve the Sustainability of Electric Vehicles
As part of our commitment to sustainability, under the broader efforts of the Volkswagen Group, we’ve joined the ZEvRA (Zero Emission electric Vehicles enabled by haRmonised circulArity) project, which launched at the beginning of 2024. This EU-supported initiative brings together 28 partners from 11 countries and primarily aims to introduce or enhance circular economy principles along the entire value chain of electric vehicles, from the supply chain and manufacturing to end-of-life processes. To achieve this, the project involves developing tools, methodologies, and assessment mechanisms, with the tangible results being showcased through a concept car. We’re proud that our Enyaq model will be used as the basis of this demonstration vehicle.