2015 Volkswagen e-Golf
At the Management Briefing Seminar earlier in the month, Volkswagen announced that it will be working with 3Degrees to offset the emissions created in the production, distribution, and driving of their e-Golf and Audi’s A3 Sportback e-tron (due later this year). In order to accomplish this, they will be purchasing carbon offsets in Texas and California, where their efforts to support a variety of environmental projects will negate their vehicles emissions through 36,000 miles.
“Volkswagen feels it is important to look beyond the benefits of driving a vehicle without tailpipe emissions and to take a holistic approach to e-mobility,” said Oliver Schmidt, general manager, Environment and Engineering Office, Volkswagen Group of America. “We now have the ability to offer offsets that approximate the emissions created from production, distribution and the initial 36,000 miles of use.”
Oliver Schmidt, General Manager, Engineering and Environmental Office, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., makes his Advanced Powertrain Forum presentation at the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars, Traverse City, Mich.
That’s all well and good, but what does it mean to purchase carbon offsets? More or less, Volkswagen will support three major carbon-reducing programs that, with VW’s contribution, will reduce enough CO2 to counteract the carbon that is generated in producing the vehicle, shipping it to dealerships, and in the act of driving through the first 36,000 miles.
These projects include:
- Garcia River Forestry Project in Mendocino County, California, which protects a 24,000-acre redwood forest and the natural habitat of area wildlife
- Big River and Salmon Creek Forests, also in Mendocino County, where 16,000 acres of redwood and Douglas firs are protected
- McKinney Landfill in McKinney, Texas, where carbon gasses that are usually released into the atmosphere as a result of anaerobic decomposition are captured
Volkswagen also announced that they have selected SunPower® as their official solar energy partner. Together, Volkswagen and SunPower will provide U.S. VW e-Golf customers with the opportunity to install a solar system that will reduce household electricity costs—including the costs necessary to charge an EV.
“Investing in a residential SunPower solar system is a reliable, cost-effective way for Volkswagen customers to help manage household electricity costs and charge their electric vehicle with emissions-free energy,” said Tom Werner, president and CEO of SunPower. “Partnering with Volkswagen is a natural fit for SunPower, given our shared passion for delivering innovative, alternative energy solutions that help customers power their lives sustainably, and for the long term.”
It was also announced that Bosch Automotive Service Solutions will act as both charging station and installation service partner for the e-Golf, providing the 240-volt Power Max® charging station and full-service installation to drivers.
Source: Volkswagen
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