Tesla Puts Green Living in the Fast Lane With Leather-Free Interiors
Now, thanks to luxury electric carmaker Tesla, conscientious consumers can take their compassion on the road with them—because the company is making vegan leather seats an option for all its vehicles. This news follows Tesla’s January roll-out of the Model X SUV, which is available with complete leather-free interior. When PETA suggested last year that the company switch to all-vegan interiors, CEO Elon Musk said that he would “absolutely” consider it.
The following was originally published on January 14, 2016:
When PETA, a Tesla Motors shareholder, spoke at Tesla’s 2015 annual meeting to urge the company to offer only vegan leather for its car interiors, CEO Elon Musk said he would “absolutely” consider it. Since then, PETA, along with dedicated PETA members who also spoke at the meeting and submitted shareholder proposals asking for vegan interiors, has been working with Tesla, and this month, the electric-car leader launched Model X—its highly anticipated SUV—which is available with a complete leather-free interior, including seats, steering wheel, and gear shift.”
In its discussions with the company, PETA pointed out that Tesla could reduce its carbon footprint by using only vegan leather. Turning animal skins into leather requires 130 different chemicals, including cyanide, and people who work in and live near tanneries suffer from exposure to these toxic chemicals. Leather production also squanders valuable natural resources, including up to 15,000 gallons of water per ton of hides, and produces massive amounts of the carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. And, of course, cows killed for leather endure branding, tail-docking, dehorning, and castration—all without painkillers.
What You Can Do
Fight cruelty to animals by pledging never to wear or buy leather. Learn more about the cruel leather industry and make a conscious choice to practice compassion and spare animals’ lives.
