Veganism, depending on who you consult, is either a deliberate lifestyle avoiding animal products to combat concerns like cow-generated methane influencing climate change and potentially elongating lifespan. On the flip side, it's viewed as a trendy stance involving virtue-signaling and linked with individuals with insufficient protein intake and reproductive struggles.

These two domains, veganism and the automotive industry, have only recently started to intersect. For example, electric vehicle manufacturers are now spotlighting leather-free interiors, often incorporating the "vegan" tag in their marketing. This alteration commenced when Tesla was prompted by PETA in 2015 to become the pioneering cruelty-free automaker. Since 2017, all Tesla editions have featured synthetic leather seats.

Over time, vegan leather has become a norm in upscale electric cars. Brands like Rivian, Polestar, and Porsche propose alternatives for vegan leather interiors. Even Continental, recognized for its tires, sensors, and charming robots, alluded to vegan leather at a recent tech gathering. The term "vegan" is opted for due to its more favorable associations compared to alternatives like "synthetic" or "faux" leather.

However, the notion of vegan leather isn't groundbreaking, and not all substitutes are innovative plant-based solutions designed to save the environment. For instance, Fabrikoid, introduced by DuPont in 1915, was a synthetic leather fashioned from cotton fabric coated with nitrocellulose. This material found its way into Ford's Model T. Many modern synthetic leathers, such as Naugahyde and SofTex, essentially consist of plastic, non-biodegradable and posing recycling challenges.

Nevertheless, there are sustainable alternatives. Companies like Polestar employ MicroTech, constructed from renewable vinyl and recycled polyester. Mercedes-Benz is crafting vegan leather from fungal roots and showcased cactus leather in a concept vehicle. Mushroom leather, embraced by Robert Downey Jr., and a coffee ground-based leather alternative from Continental also exist. Furthermore, there are responsibly sourced natural leathers, like those from Bridge of Weir.

It's important to recognize that not all vegan or animal-derived leather substitutes are on par. Bio-based options don't always measure up in terms of scalability or durability, and not all animal leather suppliers prioritize sustainability. Just as almond milk's production isn't universally more ecologically sound than locally procured cow milk, there's no one-size-fits-all solution.