When talking about the environmental effects of the automobile, it is necessary to take the entire life-span of the car into consideration. The choice of materials and system solutions influence a car during its entire lifetime. Negative effects during production and operation can be avoided as well as unnecessary discharges during maintenance and scrapping by using sound construction techniques. Volvo has been working many years in the field of the environment and has continuously studied how their production plants affect the environment. More and more complete components are bought from suppliers and they need to clearly understand Volvo's environmental goals. Emmission reduction reduction is the most important aspect of a car's environmental impact. Volvo has worked on this for many years and were the first to introduce the lambda sond and three-way catalytic converter in 1976. Emission reduction systems have gradually been refined since then. Volvo works with alternative fuels and energy sources, e.g. methanol and electricity, too. Noise while in use and the use of products which are hazardous to the environment are other important issues. How a car is taken care of at garages and dealers and how waste and other items are disposed of are vitally important. Last but not least, a proper traffic-planning system which gives information to the driver by means of displays inside or outside of the car will help make planning more efficient and reduce the burden laid on the environment.
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