Volkswagen tells drivers not to wash cars in global climate change push for electric vehicles

The move would now be offered by more than 150 retailers from roughly 21 investors across the group of brands, including Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Skoda, Seat and Cupra brands.

The strategy, which has been running since January 2025, has helped save five million gallons of water, while over 45,000 trees have been planted.

The initiative has been backed by several investor groups, and has been welcomed by around a quarter of customers happy to swap their car wash for tree planting.

Volkswagen Group said it has been working with Ecologi, an organisation which aims to accelerate global climate action by tree planting and sustainable projects across the globe.

Jaspal Toor, aftersales propositions manager at Volkswagen Group UK, said: "We're really pleased to be expanding our car wash swap for customers. We know that sustainability expectations influence customer decisions, from choice of car brand and model, through to aftersales."

According to its research, 86 per cent of customers would change brands to make a more sustainable choice.

Mr Toor added: "We know environmentally conscious decisions extend beyond the vehicle purchase stage, and drive better customer satisfaction.

"Our goal is to reduce carbon emissions, conserve water, and offer sustainability-conscious customers a greener choice."

In total, Volkswagen Group retailers were found to be currently using more than 200 million gallons of water on car washes per year, equating to over 300 metric tonnes of CO2.

The move follows the launch of the electric Volkswagen ID. Cross, which will come with a lower price point of €28,000 (£24,000), with the five-seater aimed at offering drivers a larger, more economical family vehicle.

The vehicle offers power levels of 85kW, 99kW, and 155kW, combined with two battery sizes: 37 kWh and 52 kWh.

Meanwhile, the brand has also improved its flagship ID vehicles, with the ID.3 now renamed to the ID.3 Neo with several digital product updates released for the ID.4, ID.5 and ID.7.

Kai Grünitz, Member of the Volkswagen Board of Management responsible for Technical Development, said: "The new software generation brings more performance and an even better customer experience to the ID. models.

"The new Volkswagen electric models in the small and compact vehicle segments - ID. Polo1, ID. Polo GTI1, ID. Cross1 will also soon be launched on the market with these innovations, offering more flexibility in everyday life and for leisure activities."

The updates also ensure the vehicles meet ever-changing global emission regulations, with the software and hardware now designed to match net zero goals.

These include the requirements of the European emissions standard Euro 7, the Californian standard ZEV3 (Zero Emission Vehicle) and the EU directive GSR2 (General Safety Regulation 2), which is intended to increase road traffic safety further.

Martin Sander, Member of the Board of Management for Sales, Marketing and After Sales at Volkswagen Passenger Cars, told GB News: "We're going to make electric vehicles much more affordable. We already have a wide range of electric vehicles on the market.

"I am deeply convinced that electric vehicles are better cars for consumers. There are so many advantages attached to electric vehicles. Allow this transition a little bit more time and build natural demand first."