Specially-built XC60 T8 looks like existing model, but boasts plastic components replaced with recycled materials.

Volvo Cars announced that from 2025, at least 25 per cent of the plastics used in every newly launched Volvo car will be made from recycled material.

To demonstrate the viability of this plan, the company unveiled a specially-built version of its XC60 T8 plug-in hybrid SUV that has had several of its plastic components replaced with equivalents containing recycled materials.

The special XC60’s interior has a console made from renewable fibres and plastics from discarded fishing nets and maritime ropes. On the floor, the carpet contains fibres made from plastic bottles and a recycled cotton mix from clothing manufacturers’ offcuts. The seats also use fibres from plastic bottles. Used car seats from old Volvo cars were used to create the sound-absorbing material under the hood.

“Volvo Cars is committed to minimizing its global environmental footprint,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO of Volvo Cars. “Environmental care is one of Volvo’s core values and we will continue to find new ways to bring this into our business. This car and our recycled plastics ambition are further examples of that commitment.”