Tesla is providing Ultra White synthetic leather as an option for its Modal X interiors, reports AutoGuide. The company has also kept the original leather as an option, as not having a leather option could weaken its position as a luxury automaker.
Significance: The development occurs after animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) brought the idea to Tesla's 2015 annual meeting of using vegan leather for its car interiors. Converting animal skins into leather requires 130 different chemicals, including cyanide. Also, people living near and working in the leather tanneries expose themselves to these toxic chemicals. PETA noted that the automaker could reduce its carbon footprint by using synthetic leather. Aside from PETA's influence, other automakers have also been working to increase use of recyclable and plant-based materials for vehicle interiors, most visibly Ford.
