The premium electric car manufacturer Nio has received the 2024 Green Design International Award at the renowned WGDO Annual Conference in Brussels. The sustainable interior design of the new Nio electric vehicles, Nio ET5 Touring and Nio ET7, was honored.
The award recognizes Nio’s innovative approach to vehicle design, which takes sustainability aspects into account, right down to the smallest detail, and incorporates them into all design processes. By using innovative technologies, sustainable materials and intelligent design solutions, Nio is setting new standards in the automotive industry and underlining its commitment to a more environmentally friendly future.
“Receiving the Green Design International Award is a great honor for Nio and proof of our commitment not only to develop vehicles that are emission-free, but also to make a contribution to our planet through sustainable design. With the Nio ET5 Touring and the Nio ET7, we have once again shown how innovation and responsibility can go hand in hand,” said Hui Zhang, Vice President of Nio Europe, who accepted the award in person.
In a keynote speech at the event, Harry Rogasch, Senior Director Government Relations and Public Affairs Europe at Nio, explained the manufacturer’s voluntary commitment to designing electric vehicles as sustainably as possible with a view to the energy transition, in order to counteract man-made climate change.
“The recognition of our environmentally friendly design demonstrates our self-imposed obligation to not only offer our users distinctive electric vehicles with high added value in everyday life, but also to consistently pursue the concept of sustainability in our design and look for the most environmentally friendly solution even in the smallest details,” adds Stephanie Waser, Head of CMF Design at Nio.
Sustainable materials and aerodynamic fine-tuning
The Nio electric vehicles, Nio ET5 Touring and Nio ET7, are characterized by innovative sustainability features that are an integral part of the design process. These include environmentally friendly materials, such as recycled plastics, vegan leather-look upholstery and other surfaces whose production generates particularly low carbon emissions.
In line with its sustainable interior-design philosophy, Nio uses “Clean+” materials for the headliner, instrument and door panels in the Nio ET5 Touring, which are made from 100 percent recycled PET bottles. Almost 95 percent of the aluminum used in the electric drive system is recycled. In the Nio ET7, Nio is the first automotive manufacturer to use particularly environmentally friendly materials as standard. Fourteen components of the premium electric saloon are made from sustainable rattan, which is a natural and sustainable alternative to plastic. Moreover, elements made from biodegradable materials are integrated into the interior design of both models (Nio ET5 Touring and Nio ET7).
Right from the earliest concept phase, the Nio designers place a special focus on the most aerodynamic and energy-efficient design possible for all series. Both vehicles are designed with minimal air resistance in mind, which increases range and reduces energy consumption.
Finally, Nio’s design also considers aspects that go beyond the life cycle of the vehicle. With this in mind, it has developed programs for recycling batteries and vehicle parts in order to reuse raw materials and minimize environmental impact.
World Green Design Organization: Founded for more sustainability
Founded in Brussels in September 2013, the World Green Design Organization (WGDO) is the world’s first non-profit international organization for sustainable “green” design.
Officially accredited by the EU, the non-governmental organization aims to promote sustainable change in production, consumption and lifestyle through “green designs”. Every year, the World Green Design Forum initiated by the WGDO brings together thought leaders and industry experts from all over the world to present sustainable solutions for climate protection and resource conservation.
*1 Nio ET5 Touring: power consumption according to WLTP combined: 21.9-19.3 kWh / 100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 0 g / km; CO2 class A.
*2 Nio ET7: Power consumption according to WLTP combined: 22.3-19.0 kWh / 100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 0 g / km; CO2 class A.
SOURCE: Nio
