Sustainability

More about sustainability at Audi:

How Audi conserves resources

Audi is working on reducing CO₂ emissions right from the start of the value chain, and, in doing so, also takes responsibility for its suppliers. There is great potential here, especially in steel, aluminium and battery materials.

How Audi is driving CO₂-neutral production

Our goal is for all Audi locations to be CO₂-neutral by 2025. This is already the case at our Brussels plant. Further measures, such as the treatment of process water or waste recycling, are helping to gradually make all factories climate-neutral.

How Audi lives sustainability within the company

Audi will establish the "Together4Integrity" programme in all its corporate divisions by 2025. This combines corporate culture, compliance and integrity. A "consistent team" is also part of sustainable cultural change. Our employees are made fit for the future field of electromobility.

How Audi acts sustainably and remains cost-effective at the same time

Because sustainability is not only a focus of Audi's, but also of modern premium customers, Audi will be offering CO₂-neutral premium mobility in many areas over the long term. By integrating ethical, ecological and social aspects, Audi is taking the next step into an electrifying future.

Greenovation for a future worth living

Audi Stiftung für Umwelt GmbH ("Audi Environmental Foundation") promotes technologies and commitment to environmental protection with the aim of protecting and preserving the natural foundations of life for people, animals and plants. The projects supported by the Audi Environmental Foundation focus on innovative, environmentally friendly technologies and environmental education measures. They create the impetus for sustainable action and promote awareness of the effects of human behaviour on nature. The Audi Environmental Foundation was established in 2009 by AUDI AG as a wholly-owned subsidiary in order to strengthen its commitment to society and the environment.

Visit the Audi Environmental Foundation site

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Frequently asked questions about sustainability

By 2025, every third Audi sold should be electrified. Therefore, the need for batteries will continue to increase. Audi is committed to making the life cycle of these batteries as sustainable as possible and has been an active member of the Global Battery Alliance since 2017. The main focus of the alliance is on safeguarding human rights and social standards when mining raw materials as well as on developing solutions for recycling lithium-ion batteries. Audi is also entering into research partnerships, for example, with the recycling group Umicore, in order to develop a cycle for components of high-voltage batteries, which could then be re-used over and over again. The used batteries are also given a "second life" like this at the main plant in Ingolstadt, where they are currently being used to drive forklifts and tractors on a trial basis. "Every lithium-ion battery contains a lot of energy and valuable resources that need to be used in the best possible way," says Peter Kössler, Executive Director of Production and Logistics at AUDI AG. That is why Audi is also thinking of a sensible second-use concept for batteries when it comes to electromobility.

Aluminium is also used in Audi batteries – namely, in their housing. The light metal is obtained from bauxite by means of intensive energy use. In order to save resources and energy, Audi has started the Aluminium Closed Loop project. Offcuts are sent back to suppliers and reprocessed. Audi was the first automobile manufacturer to be awarded the sustainability certificate from the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), for the sustainable production of its battery housing. Further information can be found at: https://aluminium-stewardship.org/

Like all vehicles registered in Germany and Europe, electric cars guarantee the highest level of safety. Both the fire hazard and the risk of electric shock are avoided by special safety systems. In the event of an accident or defect, the flow of current in the battery is immediately interrupted so that there is no longer any voltage. In addition, the battery is built into a large, crash-proof block in the underbody, where it is protected against deformation. Tests by the ADAC on the Audi e-tron GT concept vehicle have repeatedly shown that the risk of fire in e-cars is just as low as with combustion engines. The charging process is completely harmless at all times, and can also be carried out without any problems in the rain. You can also drive your Audi e-tron into the car wash without hesitation. Further information can be found in this ADAC test report: https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/elektromobilitaet/info/sicherheit-elektroauto/
The Audi e-tron received the highest rating of five stars in the Euro NCAP test (for more information, visit: https://www.euroncap.com/de/results/audi/e-tron/35869). Euro NCAP is the leading European programme for assessing the safety of cars. In the USA, the Audi e-tron was the first electric car to receive the highest safety award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (further information can be found at: https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/2019-audi-e-tron-earns-institutes-highest-award).