The Automotive Aftermarket’s Shift Toward Clean Energy and Carbon Reduction
Presently, the automotive aftermarket is undergoing significant transformation as it shifts its focus towards clean energy and carbon reduction strategies. These changes are being made to support global sustainability efforts, but they also provide substantial benefits for the automotive industry. To help encourage the automotive aftermarket towards a cleaner future and show people how it can simultaneously benefit both them and the Earth, aftermarket leaders like PHINIA have committed to driving this change.
“PHINIA’s journey toward a more sustainable future is guided by a steadfast commitment to protecting the environment and conserving natural resources, as outlined in our Environmental Statement,” Todd Anderson, chief technology officer at PHINIA says. “This commitment drives us to continuously improve our operations, minimize emissions and waste, and promote the efficient use of energy and water. We recognize that sustainability is not only about reducing our environmental footprint today but also about shaping a cleaner, healthier future for the generations to come.”
To achieve a cleaner Earth, PHINIA collaborates with a wide range of partners, engineers’ clean and reliable energy products, and maintains full transparency in the hope that others will follow its lead.
Collaboration
To accelerate the development and adoption of clean technologies, PHINIA works throughout multiple continents and market segments, collaborating closely with a wide range of partners from industry leaders to universities.
In 2024, it launched its PHINIA Partnership Program (3P) to help foster long-term relationships with suppliers who share its vision and values.
“Through 3P, we align with partners to innovate products and solutions that reduce emissions and drive a more sustainable future,” Anderson says. “The program enables joint research and development efforts on technologies such as hydrogen fuel systems and low-carbon internal combustion engine components, leveraging shared expertise to accelerate progress.”
Starting in 2025, PHINIA plans to expand access to 3P for aftermarket suppliers, in the hopes to further strengthen collaboration and ensure alignment on sustainable practices.
Engineering
Extending the operational life of vehicles is key to carbon reduction strategies. This is because prolonging the life of vehicles on the road mitigates the bigger impact of producing new ones.
Over the next decade it is vital that the aftermarket embrace innovations like carbon-neutral and carbon-fee fuels. These innovations are necessary because only they can keep internal combustion engine vehicles sustainable whilst reducing their carbon footprint.
To ensure car sustainability, PHINIA creates aftermarket parts that are known to be durable, reliable, and have high levels of efficiency.
“Ultimately, while there is no silver bullet for decarbonizing road transport, the aftermarket is uniquely positioned to ensure the longevity and efficiency of existing vehicles while facilitating the adoption of new solutions, making it an indispensable partner in the clean energy transition,” Anderson says.
Additionally, PHINIA is also committed to building a circular model of sustainability within their manufacturing process.
“Our remanufacturing programs take used parts and carefully restore them to meet stringent quality standards and offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to new parts,” Anderson says. “These remanufactured parts offer significant environmental benefits by reducing the need for raw material extraction and manufacturing processes. Also, our products consider recyclability through the design process, to maximize the amount of component content that can be reintegrated into the supply chain at the end of their life.”
Full Transparency
To further encourage others to follow sustainability, PHINIA released its inaugural Sustainability Report in 2024.
“In our first year as an independent company, we directed 78% of our R&D investment towards fuel efficiency and alternative fuel technologies, with 30% specifically targeting zero- and lower-carbon solutions. Additionally, in 2023, we reduced our manufacturing sites energy intensity by 11%,” Anderson says.
The release of the report was a huge step forward for PHINIA because it helped solidify its commitment to creating a better tomorrow.
“This marked a pivotal moment as we set a marker for future progress,” Anderson says. “Prepared and submitted annually, these reports will be a regular opportunity to demonstrate how we have integrated sustainability throughout our business and supported our customers with the same.”
The Future
Looking towards the future, PHINIA is focused on continuing to advance innovative solutions and practices across its global operations.
“We are setting ambitious targets, such as a 3.5% annual energy intensity reduction at our manufacturing sites,” Anderson says. “By fostering environmental awareness, engaging with stakeholders, and embedding responsible environmental practices into everything we do, PHINIA is charting a path toward greater sustainability. Our vision remains clear: to lead in advancing low-carbon mobility and environmental stewardship, powering a cleaner, more sustainable tomorrow.”
