The Electric Ford Bronco Is 1 of the Only Vegan SUVs on the Market
Vegan clothing, vegan shoes, vegan makeup, vegan underwear, and even vegan condoms are now options in the marketplace. Google the term “vegan” along with practically any product word you can think of, and you’ll find a company that makes it. So, should it be any surprise at all that vehicle manufacturers, some of the most environmentally unfriendly companies in the world, now sell vegan cars? That brings us to the upcoming electric Ford Bronco with zero emissions and a vegan interior.
What makes a car vegan?
To be vegan is to hold the philosophy that rejects the commodification of all animals for any purpose. Thus, a true vegan not only avoids consuming animal-based foods but also refuses to purchase products involving “commodity-status animals.” It requires a lot of product research and due diligence to stay within the guidelines and principles of veganism.
Now that we’ve clarified that, is there any such thing as a 100% vegan vehicle? Can “Vegan SUVs” be considered vegan fundamentally?
Generally, the answer is, “No.” As pointed out by LiveKindly, “When you begin to understand that animal fats are used in the production of steel and rubber among many other components used in car manufacturing, you realize that it is currently almost impossible to buy a car that is 100% vegan-friendly.” Additionally, according to PETA, even wool in automotive interiors prevents a vehicle from being 100% vegan.
However, since it’s unrealistic and impractical to foot it for the rest of our lives, the best one can do is be as ethical as possible when purchasing or leasing a new car. At the top of the list should be a 100% electric car with zero emissions, minimum use of steel, an interior made from recycled materials, and one not using parts manufactured in countries known to allow slave or child labor.
The Electric Ford Bronco by Zero Labs Automotive
LiveKindly published a guide of vehicles it considers vegan-friendly and environmentally-friendly. It listed 13 vehicles of various types, most of which were cars, with just one SUV: an electric Bronco. Sadly, most folk won’t get the option of owning this “Vegan” Bronco, as only 150 will be made available. Furthermore, before you open another tab on your browser to scour Ford’s website searching for this EV Bronco, it’s not being produced by Ford.
These EV Broncos are restored and retrofitted 1966 vintage Ford Broncos. The company responsible for this project is an automotive and industrial design, technology, and engineering firm based in LA called Zero Labs Automotive. In addition to the Bronco, they offer many more refurbished and retrofitted EV classics.
Zero Labs primarily offers complete bespoke rebuilds of classic vehicles converted to electric drivetrains at a customer’s request. This explains their exclusivity — models are available by reservation only and cost around $300,000. This places the Bronco EV out of the reach of most vehicle buyers.
The only vegan classic Ford Bronco in the world
Zero Labs states on its website that the exact performance of the Bronco EV will vary depending on a customer’s configuration. In other words, the EV Ford Bronco model LiveKindly listed is fully loaded with options. The base model only offers 50% of the power, a smaller battery, less range, and single motor control.
The standard EV Bronco comes with a motor that produces 300 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. It has rear-wheel drive (RWD) with a limited-slip differential on both front and rear axles. The model’s 85kWwh lithium-ion battery has an EPA estimated range of 200 miles on a single charge and features full-time cooling and thermal management. A Level 2 onboard AC charger also comes standard.
Outside of the cost, a big downside of purchasing such an expensive retrofitted classic is that modern advanced safety features are not allowed by law. So, be aware that the Bronc EV lacks features such as front and side curtain airbags, or break away bumper sensors.
In closing, while this classic retro Ford Bronco EV would make a wonderful collector’s item for someone who makes several million dollars annually, it’s far from practical. It seems more suited for an article entitled “The Most Expensive Vegan-Friendly Cars for Millionaires.”
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