Audi said its plant in Ingolstadt would begin net carbon neutral production on 1 January 2024 as part of its so called Mission:Zero environmental programme.
It would be the third Audi plant to operate with net zero emissions, after Brussels (Belgium) and Gyor (Hungary).
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To achieve net carbon neutrality at all its sites worldwide by 2025 the automaker said it would implement a “four pillar concept”.
The first aims to improve energy efficiency. In Ingolstadt, the company has operated a process water supply centre with a membrane bioreactor since 2019 to use water more efficiently.
The second pillar is to generate renewable energy in-house. Audi said it had been producing cars in Ingolstadt only with green electricity since 2012. Solar panels have been installed to aid this objective further.
For the third pillar, Audi said it would transition its energy procurement to be net carbon neutral. At Ingolstadt a neighbouring refinery and the municipal waste recycling plant supply the main plant with carbon neutral waste heat. The automaker has also secured large quantities of biogas to ensure a net carbon neutral heat supply.
The final pillar would result in any emissions it cannot yet avoid being offset by purchasing carbon credits certified according to the highest quality standards.
