Yutong, Continental, Mapfre Cut Emissions: Sustainability Weekly

This week in sustainability news: Yutong Bus presented its diesel-powered C9, C11 and C12 models, along with the fully electric C11E bus. Meanwhile, Continental announced it has eliminated coal and fuel oil as energy sources in its global tire manufacturing operations, reducing the greenhouse gas intensity of its tire production by more than 70% compared with 2019 levels. Separately, Mapfre reported energy savings of about 40,000 kWh since 2022, equivalent to a 27% reduction in consumption.

More news below:

Yutong Debuts Highway Passenger Buses for Mexican Market

Yutong Bus presented its full lineup of highway passenger vehicles for the Mexican market at EXPO FORO 2026, including the diesel-powered C9, C11 and C12 models, as well as the fully electric C11E bus. The vehicles are designed to serve long-distance routes, tourism transport, and high-end passenger services. The company has maintained a presence in Latin America for nearly 25 years and has delivered close to 2,000 vehicles in Mexico since 2018. 

Continental Phases Out Coal, Fuel Oil in Tire Production

Continental announced it has eliminated coal and fuel oil as energy sources in its global tire manufacturing operations, completing a transition to alternative energy sources across all plants.  Since January, all of the company’s tire production facilities have shifted to a mix of biomass, biogas, electricity generated from renewable sources, and fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas. The company — which operates 22 plants across Mexico — reported that the changes have reduced the greenhouse gas intensity of its tire production by more than 70% compared with 2019 levels. Over the past four years, the transition has helped avoid approximately 180,000t CO2 emissions.

Mapfre Slashes Energy Use by 27% as Climate Plan Advances

Mapfre announced new sustainability and energy efficiency results as part of its decarbonization strategy, reporting that it exceeded its internal energy-reduction targets while continuing to expand renewable energy use across its global operations. According to Mapfre, energy consumption reductions in 2025 surpassed the company’s 2030 target of a 16% decrease. The company reported a 27% reduction in the purchase of electricity and fossil fuels — including natural gas and gasoline — compared with previous levels. Since 2022, these measures have resulted in energy savings of about 40,000 kWh.

Grupo Solmar Cuts LP Gas Use Nearly 50% in Los Cabos

Grupo Solmar reported a nearly 50% reduction in liquefied petroleum (LP) gas consumption at its hotels in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, following several energy efficiency measures implemented over the past four years. The hospitality company said the decline occurred between 2021 and 2025 across the six hotels it operates in the destination, where it has maintained operations since 1974. According to company data, LP gas consumption dropped from 1,345,237 liters in 2021 to 691,617 liters in 2025. The reduction was largely driven by the installation of Multistack systems, which capture heat generated by cooling compressors and reuse it to heat water used in guest rooms, swimming pools and service areas. 

Agave Loop Awarded for Agave Waste-to-Energy Technology

The Mexican startup Agave Loop was announced as the winner of the Torres Brandy Zero Challenge.  The company focuses on converting agave bagasse — one of the most abundant waste products generated during the production of agave-based spirits — into ecological briquettes capable of generating clean energy. The model aims to transform a byproduct that can contribute to environmental contamination into a viable energy source while creating economic opportunities in agave-producing regions.