Škoda Auto’s Vrchlabí Production plant is Carbon Neutral

Automotive manufacturer - Škoda Auto - has announced that its first carbon neutral production site, Vrchlabí, has been maintained this status since the end of 2020.

To achieve this the production site systematically reduced its energy consumption and switched to renewable energies; this allowed Škoda Auto to cut its CO2 emissions from 45,000 tonnes annually to its current levels of 3,000 tonnes. These remaining emissions are offset through compensation measures and CO2 certificates. 

“As a car manufacturer, we bear a special responsibility for environmental and climate protection. We have set the course by achieving CO2 neutrality at our high-tech Vrchlabí site, and we are showing where we are heading in terms of environmental sustainability and energy efficiency,” said Miroslav Kroupa, Head of Brand Management at Škoda Auto.

Becoming Carbon Neutral 

At the end of 202, Škoda Auto’s Vrchlabí gearbox production plant became the company’s first carbon neutral site worldwide; Mladá Boleslav and Kvasiny are soon to follow. By financing this shift to carbon neutrality, Škoda Auto is supporting climate protection projects including the production of renewable energy in India, as well as rainforest conservation.

At the site, Škoda Auto effectively managed its energy-saving over 2,000 MWh of thermal energy and nearly 1,500 MWh of electricity last year alone. In addition, heating circuits that were unused in production were closed with intelligent energy-efficient room temperature regulations introduced, air supply management optimised, and lighting in many rooms was aligned with operating hours.  

Since 2019, Škoda Auto has been recycling materially or thermally all waste from the production process at the plant, with all production plants operating the same since 2020. In 2021, Škoda Auto initiated the use of CO2 neutral methane from biogas plants instead of natural gas, and is continuing its investment in climate protection measures in several other locations.

Reducing Vehicle Fleet Emissions 

Outside of its plant operations, Škoda Auto is also committed to reducing the emissions of its vehicle fleet that is being produced at its plants by over 50% by 2030 compared to 2020.

Škoda Auto is also planning to increase the share of all-electric models in Europe to 50 to 70% depending on the market’s development. By 2030, Škoda Auto will be adding at least three additional all-electric models to its portfolio