As a manufacturer of cars in California, the spiritual home of veganism, Tesla has been using Vegan sourced interiors for some time now.
In 2016, they released an article containing the details of the specification of a 100% Vegan interior, but product availability at the time made it impossible to deliver that promise.
In 2019, they have been called into question by an animal rights group for the continued use of leather in their interiors.
Step up Porsche and the nearly Vegan Taycan…
Porsche first release information says that there will be both a leather and a Vegan option for the interior.
Porsches own Race-Tex microfiber which is made from recycled polyester and olive leaf process seat materials.
Porsche have pointed out that the Race-Tex material produces 80% less CO2 than the production of the leather alternative.
And for the flooring of the Taycan, Porsche is using the Econyl recycled fibre made of recycled fishing nets, something that has been developed over the last three years.
It is though, too early to call the Taycan Vegan, as it isn’t quite 100% free of animal products. Tyres still contain stearic acid, an animal product and some adhesives will also contain animal products.
Elon Musk, however, has explained that Tesla are still struggling to replace leather steering wheels, as the wheel is heated it needs to be durable. It is though the intention that the new Tesla Model Y will have no leather and it will move ever closer to being truly Vegan.
