The Warming Planet Is Changing the Ecosystem – It’s Also Bad for Automakers

When Swedish automaker Volvo opened its proving ground in Kiruna, Sweden, 30 years ago, the mission was clear: « Making sure that our products are truly fit for the harshest of winter conditions. »

The remote location was ideal. Kiruna, situated about 90 miles north of the Arctic Circle, historically has long, cold winters and snow cover until mid-May. This year, Volvo engineers have been forced to postpone their annual testing or rely on subarctic cold boxes to replicate the region’s harsh conditions.

« Normally we’re used to a long season of winter testing, » John Lundegren, an engineering manager at Volvo, told ABC News. « The season is getting more unpredictable. …

Source: ABC News