CUPRA’s Electric Cars and Sustainable Materials
At Terramar, Sitges, we unveiled our vision for 2025, including our upcoming electrified heroes: the CUPRA Terramar, CUPRA Tavascan and CUPRA Raval.
Our electric and hybrid vehicles embody our ongoing efforts towards decarbonisation, as they emit less greenhouse gases over their lifetime than conventional engine cars. We’re also revolutionising how cars are built, with eco-friendly materials such as hemp fabric, sparking exhilarating emotion.
Our aim to be a carbon-neutral company by 2050 requires a holistic approach. Here are a few of our initiatives helping us reach this goal.
CUPRA Car Design and Decarbonisation
Beyond our journey to 100% electrification in 2030, we’re also developing state-of-the-art interiors made of sustainable materials which align with the values of the CUPRA Tribe.
We’re departing from conventional automotive material choices and using plant-based materials instead – such as hemp and flax – to construct components that rival those traditionally crafted from carbon fibre or Kevlar.
Hemp and Decarbonisation
We carried out research which shows that industrial hemp has been scientifically proven to absorb more CO2 per hectare than any forest or commercial crop. Not only is it the ideal carbon sink, with flax we can achieve a weight reduction of up to 50% compared to conventional materials. The use of this material contributes to a lighter vehicle, therefore decreasing energy consumption.
Recycled Plastics, Cleaner Oceans: Stimulating the Circular Economy
For selected CUPRA vehicle designs, recycled plastics are combined with natural flax and hemp material for a beautiful and sustainable result. Metallic elements are incorporated, reasserting the materials’ natural and resistant properties.
We are also using SEAQUAL® YARN – derived from recycled marine plastic – in some of our car interiors. Our collaboration with SEAQUAL INITIATIVE engages fishermen, NGOs and communities to clean up oceans and rivers. With this collaboration, we also aim to stimulate the circular economy. This partnership champions environmental preservation and is a step in the right direction towards our goal in becoming a carbon-neutral company by 2050.
SEAQUAL® YARN matches new polyester in terms of performance but outperforms in sustainability. It slashes water usage in its production by 40%, takes half the amount of energy to produce and cuts carbon emissions by 60%, aside from helping to clean up our oceans.
Minimising Waste with Digital Techniques
The digital realm allows us to create surfaces that were once thought impossible and are representative of CUPRA’s unstoppable impulse. We’re using 3D flat knitting technology to create fabrics precisely to measure, minimising waste, whilst also breaking boundaries with parametric design and 3D printing.
We believe using materials that are more sustainable allows us to reassert CUPRA as the unconventional challenger of the automotive industry. Sustainability, firmly ingrained in our values, now goes a step further with three new electrified and meticulously designed CUPRA vehicles, set to be released in the coming years.
