Index ranks ‘kindest’ new cars it says are best for vegan motorists

When we say the most-vegan friendly motors, we’re not referring to which vehicles animal-free enthusiasts can eat.

Like other industries, car manufacturers are becoming increasing aware of the growing demand for products to have animal-free materials, and are reacting by launching a range of synthetic fabrics to replace leather used in the cabins of their latest models.

But a new ‘kindness’ index has been launched to rank vehicles in order of how friendly they are to the planet, taking into account both the impact to animals and the environment.

Is this the best car for vegans? The Renault Twizy has been named the kindest vehicle, despite it having a range of just over 30 miles, no windows and the door are an optional extra

The ranking looks at the materials used to upholster the seats, steering wheel, gearstick and handbrake in new cars, as well as the CO2 outputs emitted from their exhaust pipes. 

Having once been a symbol of luxury, car makers are now ditching conventional leathers to appease a growing customer base who choose to live vegan and sustainable lifestyles.

In their place are synthetic alternatives produced without harming any animals in the process, with plenty of brands launching their own substitutions, including Ford, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus and Toyota. 

While manufacturers are taking additional measures to offer more vegan-friendly vehicles, animal products are still used in the production of the steel and rubber that make up the car itself – meaning there’s no such thing as an entirely vegan motor.

However, Money.co.uk has created a Kinder Cars Index for the best all-rounders for the planet right now.

This is based on them having leather-free interiors as standard (according to the manufacturers’ websites) as well as low emissions.

Unsurprisingly, the top of the rankings is dominated by electric vehicles.

The Renault Twizy doesn't have any leather materials out of necessity and not necessarily choice

That's because it has no windows and doors are optional, meaning the entire interior needs to be fully waterproof

The Renault Twizy doesn’t have any leather materials out of necessity and not necessarily choice. That’s because it has no windows and doors are optional, meaning the entire interior needs to be fully waterproof

In number one spot and taking the ‘Most Kind’ award is the Renault Twizy – the French brand’s smallest ever model.

The two-seat Twizy sneaks in despite not necessarily being a car, with it actually being categorised as a quadricycle.

It also ditches leather materials as standard out of necessity, not choice.

That’s because it’s sold without windows, and doors are an optional extra. A pretty shocking fact given the £11,695 entry price (and no £3,000 saving from the taxpayer-funded Plug-in Car Grant because it’s not technically a car). 

In order to waterproof the interior, no leather materials are used. It also has a range of just 31 to 56 miles and can’t be taken on motorways, it should be highlighted.

The electric Renault Zoe came second in the Kindest Car Index, which has been created by Money.co.uk

The electric Renault Zoe came second in the Kindest Car Index, which has been created by Money.co.uk

The Zoe's interior might look like it has a leather steering wheel and panel on the electric drive control, but this is synthetic

The Zoe’s interior might look like it has a leather steering wheel and panel on the electric drive control, but this is synthetic

Polestar's 2, which has only just hit UK shores, came third in the kindness list

Polestar’s 2, which has only just hit UK shores, came third in the kindness list

The brand, which is the premium electric arm of Volvo and owners Geely, promises to use only man-made fabrics that avoid animal leathers and wool in all its plug-in vehicles

The brand, which is the premium electric arm of Volvo and owners Geely, promises to use only man-made fabrics that avoid animal leathers and wool in all its plug-in vehicles

Second in the list is the Renault Zoe, which is an electric car that qualifies for the government subsidy, though still rings it from £26,995.

Also in the top five is the recently-launched £49,900 Polestar 2, which won the Best Luxury Vehicle, followed by the VW ID.3 and Vauxhall Corsa-E.

The top 23 cars in the 50-long ranking are electric models with zero tailpipe emissions.

With electric cars still quite a bit more expensive than a petrol or diesel alternative, this list suggest vegans will need to pay a premium to get the cars with the kindest scores.

And not all of these 23 models have interiors made from synthetic, recycled and sustainable materials, as you can see in the table of results.

In terms of the best cars for vegans that use internal combustion engines, the Kia XCeed Hybrid (32g/km CO2), Fiat 500 Hybrid (119g/km CO2) and Citroen C1 petrol (109g/km CO2) are the top choices. 

The Dacia Sandero, which is currently priced from £6,995 (though this price will increase by around £1,000 when the new version arrives later this year) is the best car for vegans on a budget.

Those who want an SUV to transport their families should feel least guilty driving a Mercedes-Benz EQC, which costs a whopping £65,000, the report said.  

Suprisingly, eco-car poster boys such as the range of Tesla electric vehicles and Toyota’s Prius hybrid featured lower in the list than you might thing. 

According to manufacturer websites, the entry-level Prius and Teslas currently come with leather steering wheels as standard, which is why they feature low down in the kindness list.  

However, Elon Musk’s US firm has said that they will happily change their steering wheel to one made with a vegan-friendly leather alternative, and for no charge.

Anyone looking to buy a Prius can also request a steering wheel wrapped in Toyota’s leather alternative, ‘Softex’.

Salman Haqqi, consumer spending expert at Money.co.uk, said: ‘Demand for more ethical options is helping to shape the car industry with brands including Tesla, Ford, Toyota, and BMW, all offering vegan-friendly leather alternatives in some of their flagship models.

‘However, buying a car is still a bit of a minefield for vegan motorists as animal products are used in the manufacture of the steel and rubber that makes up the car itself.

‘For some people, their car is the one necessary evil that it’s just not possible to go without. 

But to help mindful motorists minimize their impact as much as possible, we looked at the leather content and CO2 emissions of some of the most well-known manufacturers to find the kindest cars that are available to buy today.’ 

Earlier this month, Jaguar Land Rover announced that interior parts for its future cars will be made from recycled plastics recovered from landfill and oceans around the world.

Polestar, which is the electric luxury arm of Geely, which owns Volvo, has also promised to use only man-made fabrics that avoid animal leathers and wool in all its plug-in vehicles.

The Dacia Sandero has been named the kindest budget friendly car, with the entry model sold with leather-free seats, steering wheel and gearstick

The Dacia Sandero has been named the kindest budget friendly car, with the entry model sold with leather-free seats, steering wheel and gearstick

For motorists who need an SUV, the £65,000 Mercedes-Benz EQC is the kindest. The table suggest vegan drivers will need to pay a premium to get the most animal- and eco-friendly vehicles on the market

For motorists who need an SUV, the £65,000 Mercedes-Benz EQC is the kindest. The table suggest vegan drivers will need to pay a premium to get the most animal- and eco-friendly vehicles on the market

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