Fiat describes natural gas as the best available solution for reducing urban pollution levels and CO2 emissions. Last year the company marked the North American launch of its Ram 2500 Heavy Duty CNG, which it says is the only factory-built natural gas pickup.

Last year also saw the production launch in the US of the Fiat 500e, a zero-emission electric vehicle, which the EPA has rated at 108 mpge highway and tested as travelling about 87 miles on a charge. The group says it is “passionately focused on the development of alternative propulsion systems,” and is developing technologies for conventional hybrids, plug-in hybrids, fully electrified and range-extended electric vehicles. But it says the cost of such technologies remains a key challenge.

Sustainable materials

Last year, Fiat made 52 percent of wheel liners in the NAFTA region from post-consumer recycled materials and used 5 percent renewable resources in Dodge Dart seat cushions. This year it plans to extend renewable materials to Jeep brand vehicles and develop an eco-design tool tailored to the automotive sector, implementing the tool in 2015.

Waste

In 2012 the group recovered 72.2 percent of waste at its plants. It is aiming for 95 percent by 2014. Waste generated per vehicle at mass-market brand plants was down 0.5 percent versus 2011 and 3 percent versus 2010, to 206.2 kg per vehicle. Fiat is aiming to cut waste generation at these plants by 13 percent by 2014, versus 2010 levels.

Hazardous waste generated per vehicle at mass-market brand plants was down 15.1 percent last year versus 2011 levels, and 47.5 percent versus 2010 levels, to 3.8 kg per vehicle. The group is targeting a 28 percent reduction, versus 2010 levels, by 2014.