Vattenfall and CAKE reveal hidden CO2 sources when producing an electric motorcycle

Vattenfall and CAKE’s “Cleanest Dirt Bike Ever” project highlights the climate impact of producing one CAKE Kalk OR electric off-roader by placing it in an 8.6m high cube which represents the volume of carbon emissions during the manufacturing process – 637 cubic meters, equal to 1,186 kg of carbon dioxide.

The main materials, components and parts that are being investigated to become “fossil free” include aluminium, steel, plastic, rubber, controller, motor, battery, brakes, suspension, and electronics.

Stefan Ytterborn, founder and CEO of CAKE, said:

“Fossil-free vehicles means that the entire production process needs to be decarbonized, regardless of the fuel they are running on. It’s unlikely that many companies are aware of the carbon footprint from their own products.

“To understand and tackle our own impact, we have measured the emissions from our entire production chain for one CAKE Kalk OR and started to decarbonize every step to a minimum by 2025. By doing so, our second most important contribution to the planet is to inspire other manufacturers to step up and do the same.”

Annika Ramsköld, Head of Corporate Sustainability at Vattenfall commented:

“Vattenfall works to enable fossil free living within one generation and is dedicated to finding partnerships that inspire and break barriers. This is one such project, where our main contribution is the broad knowledge in fossil free solutions and electrification of industries we have acquired over decades from our own as well as other industries.”

Cleanest Dirt Bike Ever – revealing the climate impact 

Vattenfall and CAKE have been collaborating on the “Cleanest Dirt Bike Ever” project since 2021, aiming to produce the first ever truly fossil free vehicle – the CAKE Kalk OR electric off-roader. By taking the bike apart and challenging every component and material – and all steps in the production chain – from a climate perspective, the decarbonization process has already begun. 

The route to fossil free production will involve both CAKE and its existing suppliers, as well as a number of innovative makers of alternative components and materials that offer the possibility of further emissions reductions. The life cycle assessment (LCA) concluded that producing one CAKE Kalk OR currently results in emissions of 1,186 kg CO2, equal to a volume of 637 cubic meters. Every successful step taken results in shrinking the volume of emissions.

An integral part of the collaboration between Vattenfall and CAKE will be the cube, a three-dimensional visualization of the carbon footprint from the production. The objective of the cube is to raise awareness among consumers and to inspire the manufacturing industry in general.

Futher information can be found here.

Notes

1. CO2 emitted during production process of CAKE Kalke OR = 1,186kg (1.186 tonnes). Round trip flight from London Heathrow airport to New York JFK airport emits 630kg CO2 (source: ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator). 630 x 2 = 1,260kg.