Vehicle of Change: How One Bike is Revolutionizing the Automotive Industry
Vehicle of Change – One bike built to change how all vehicles are made
In the face of a climate emergency, the automotive industry stands at a crossroads. As the world grapples with the urgent need to reduce fossil fuel emissions, one company has taken on a remarkable mission to transform the way vehicles are made. European energy giant Vattenfall, in collaboration with Swedish electric motorcycle manufacturer CAKE, is leading the way with the creation of the first truly fossil-free vehicle. In a world where transportation accounts for a significant portion of emissions, this ambitious project aims not only to produce emission-free vehicles but also to inspire the entire automotive sector to embrace sustainability. This article delves into the groundbreaking partnership between Vattenfall and CAKE, as well as the revolutionary impact it is making on the industry.
The Call for Systemic Transformation
In 2022, a UN report highlighted the urgent need for systemic transformation to combat climate change effectively. To avert the worst consequences of global warming, substantial reductions in fossil fuel emissions are essential. Transportation is a significant contributor, accounting for a quarter of these emissions. Recognizing this challenge, Vattenfall, a prominent European energy company, made a commitment to eliminate fossil fuels from society. Their existing efforts include providing fossil-free energy to consumers and businesses and establishing one of Europe’s largest electric vehicle charging networks.
The Vision: A Truly Fossil-Free Vehicle
While the automotive industry has been making strides towards electrification, there remains a critical issue to address. Electric vehicles (EVs) may not emit CO2 during use, but they still generate emissions during their manufacturing, assembly, and transportation phases. In fact, the emissions from producing EVs can be as much as 70% higher than those from conventional petrol-powered models. To truly revolutionize the industry, Vattenfall and CAKE set out to create a vehicle that would be not only emission-free when driven but also emission-free when made.
Transparency and Collaboration for Impact
To achieve this ambitious goal, transparency and collaboration were key. Vattenfall and CAKE embarked on a journey of radical openness, sharing every breakthrough and setback along the way. They open-sourced their methodology, allowing other companies, researchers, and enthusiasts to learn from their experiences and contribute to the cause.
The first step was a comprehensive life cycle analysis of every single component of the bike to determine its carbon footprint. The results revealed a carbon footprint of 1,186 kg CO2e. To convey the gravity of this figure, the team created a striking visual representation – a cube measuring 637 m3, filled with smoke to represent the bike’s emissions. This powerful imagery was used to launch the project, with a clear objective: to reduce this carbon footprint to zero by the year 2025.
Spreading the Message: Impact and Recognition
The impact of the project spread like wildfire. Major media outlets, including Fast Company and Dagens Industri, picked up the story, bringing it to a wider audience. Even the World Economic Forum’s Twitter account, with 4.2 million followers, shared the initiative, amplifying its reach. Notably, Volkswagen praised the effort, emphasizing that sharing knowledge and collaboration are crucial in achieving a carbon-neutral future.
Driving Real Change in the Industry
The project’s visibility and transparency have already led to significant changes in the automotive industry. Twenty companies, including well-known brands like Polestar, have expressed interest in adopting the plastic replacement material developed by the project’s partner, PaperShell. In another significant development, Öhlins, a leading suspension manufacturer supplying prestigious brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and BMW, joined the project, recognizing the opportunity to future-proof their suspension technology.
Conclusion
The partnership between Vattenfall and CAKE is more than just building a fossil-free vehicle; Vehicle of Change represents a bold step towards transforming the entire automotive industry. With transparency, collaboration, and innovative thinking, they have set a precedent for others to follow. By open-sourcing their project and sharing their journey, they are inspiring a global movement towards sustainability. As more companies join this effort, the dream of a fossil-free automotive sector may soon become a reality. The future of transportation lies in initiatives like this, and the journey to a greener world begins with a single bike – a Vehicle of Change that has the power to revolutionize the automotive industry for good.
Credits
Campaign: Vehicle of Change
Advertising Agency: Nord DDB Stockholm
Client: Cake, Vattenfall
Music: Håkan Eriksson
Award: The One Club – Green Pencil – 2023 AWARDS
This campaign is about:
fossil-free vehicle, automotive industry, climate emergency, systemic transformation, fossil fuel emissions, transportation emissions, Vattenfall, CAKE, electric vehicles, emission-free, sustainability, radical transparency, open-sourcing, carbon footprint, life cycle analysis, impact, collaboration, plastic replacement material, PaperShell, suspension technology, future-proofing, innovative thinking, global movement, greener world
