What can the average Swedish family do to meet the UN’s climate goals? Can a family’s emissions of greenhouse gases be reduced from the Swedish average of 7–8 tonnes per person annually to a more sustainable level of about one tonne? In January 2011, Volvo Cars and several business partners launched a six-month project to help a Swedish family try to lead a climate-neutral life.

Volvo C30 powered by renewable energy
Volvo Cars, Vattenfall, a major Swedish power company, and A-hus, a home builder, have signed a cooperation agreement, according to which the test family will be provided with the necessary products, advice and services. The home is a climate-smart house that generates more electricity than it uses. Volvo Cars has contributed a Volvo C30 Electric – an all-battery-powered car – that is included in the research project with a view to evaluating the feasibility of a broad-based launch of the model.

A fully charged car has a range of 150 km, which covers the family’s transport requirements on the home front. The car is charged from an ordinary wall socket in the garage, or at charging stations throughout the city. Volvo Cars is Sweden’s largest player in car pools and, for longer distances, the family can borrow other eco-sound cars from one of Volvo’s conveniently situated car pools.

Planning is the key
Living green is a matter of planning – as well as bargaining and compromising in terms of what is important. If the family decides to travel north to the mountains on their Easter vacation, their plans for a more distant summer vacation destination may have to take a lower priority. Organic products and weekly purchases
of locally produced seasonal food become a natural part of everyday life.

Vattenfall has provided a climate coach, helping the family consume energy as efficiently as possible and measuring all energy consumption in the house. Chalmers Institute of Technology in Gothenburg calculates the family’s CO2 emissions. As part of efforts to include all requirements, industrial partners such as Siemens and ICA are responsible for providing household appliances and food products, respectively.

“All the project partners are striving to test cutting-edge products that reduce climate impact. At the same time, we want to provide counterproof to debunk widespread myths that electric cars are not as safe as conventional passenger cars, or do not have enough luggage space for family requirements, or that they are generally difficult to live with,” says Malin Persson, Manager Safety & Environment Communication at Volvo Cars.

To read more about the project, visit: www.onetonnelife.com

One Tonne Life

One Tonne Life - Trailer

One Tonne Life - Project Film