Land Rover goes green
Responds to invading enviro campaigners
Range Rover Sport: it's no gas guzzler
According to LR, the plan "will allow both Land Rover and its customers to contribute to a cleaner environment. It is the largest and most comprehensive programme of its kind ever undertaken by an automotive manufacturer in the UK.
"The pilot has been established specifically for Land Rover and supports Ford Motor Company's £1 billion investment in the UK announced yesterday. The far-reaching initiative will enable the development of environmental technologies across Ford and its Premier Automotive Group. The 3,000 engineers based at Land Rover's headquarters in Gaydon in Warwickshire will play a key role in developing that technology."
The pilot runs until the end of 2008, and LR reckons the scheme will offset over two million tonnes of CO2, which it estimates is equivalent to the CO2 generated by 125,000 average homes over the same period.
What's the deal?
The programme has two key components: offsetting emissions generated by Land Rover vehicle assembly at its two production facilities in Britain; and providing a mechanism for customers to offset emissions from the use of their vehicle. The scheme is to be run independently by Climate Care, a CO2 offset provider, and will be overseen by a governance committee.
"This announcement is part of a multi-stage and ongoing approach by Land Rover to environmental care and sustainability," said LR boss Phil Popham. "Our CO2 offset programme is the second demonstration from Land Rover in five months that it is helping to minimise the impact of its manufacturing processes and vehicles on the environment.
"This industry leading initiative follows hard on the heels of our Land-e technological exhibit which showcases innovative hybrid electric powertrains and biofuel capability – real world technology which will be seen on Land Rover production vehicles of the future. The announcement made by Ford yesterday will have a considerable impact in enabling us to develop that technology. It also acknowledges the challenges of climate change and recognises our responsibility to take action now."
Climate Care director Mike Mason said: "It will take time to incorporate the new technologies into the full model range so rather than wait, Land Rover have chosen to act immediately and, in addition, introduce a comprehensive CO2 offset programme. This will start to reduce the climate impact of Land Rovers immediately."
Land Rover's CO2 Offset Programme is part of an integrated approach to reducing CO2 emissions. The ultimate goal is CO2 neutrality and projects will include investment in renewable energy projects such as wind and solar, technology change and energy efficiency.
- Land Rover will embark on a pilot programme in the UK to offset CO2 emissions from its UK manufacturing operations, ensuring the amount saved balances the original emissions. According to LR, the facilities are already highly efficient in energy usage and have ongoing efficiency targets. Emissions from Solihull have been cut by 30 per cent since 1997, said LR.
- From 2007 Model Year, customers of all new Land Rover vehicles sold in the UK will pay to offset the CO2 emissions produced by their vehicle, calculated on the certified CO2 emissions level for each Land Rover model and based on 45,000 miles (equivalent 15,000 miles of annual use).
- For the customer it represents an investment of between £85 and £165 depending on model. Research has shown that Land Rover customers are prepared to play an active role.
- It is estimated the programme could offset over two million tonnes of CO2 over the pilot period – equivalent to the output from 125,000 homes over the pilot period. (Source: DEFRA)
- New Land Rover vehicles all have lower emissions than predecessors in their model range. The Freelander 2, for instance, has 11 per cent lower CO2 emissions in petrol form and the diesel version emits five per cent less than the outgoing Freelander, according to the company.
- The new Range Rover TDV8, launched at the Madrid Motor Show, has performance figures to match the V8 petrol model but has 32 per cent better fuel economy.
- Land_e, first demonstrated at the Geneva Motor Show in March, includes an electric hybrid drive that allows for electric drive in town and boosts off-road performance by using the low-speed torque of electric motors. It would cut CO2 emissions by 30 per cent and give a 50mpg fuel economy on a Freelander size vehicle.
"Land Rover customers can be reassured that not only is their latest purchase more efficient and less polluting , but they are also part of a scheme to make immediate and real reductions through CO2 offset projects around the world," said Popham.
Previous Climate Care initiatives have included wind turbines in India, installing low energy lighting in South Africa and providing renewable energy cooking stoves to schools in India.
Mike Mason added: "Land Rover recognises that climate change is a serious threat to the planet. In response, Land Rover and its parent, Ford, have committed to an extensive programme of emissions reductions from their vehicles. However the threat is not only serious but also urgent. Climate Care is pleased that Land Rover has taken this initiative to deal with emissions in the short term whilst stepping up their efforts to tackle the longer term challenges. We believe this is the first time a programme of such scope and vision has been launched, and we hope it sets a benchmark for others."
A Governance Committee will oversee all aspects of the scheme's administration and implementation.
"It is our prime objective that everyone involved can see exactly how the scheme is being run and what benefits it is producing, both in terms of projects funded and offsetting of CO2," added Phil Popham.
LR was keen to make the following points too:
- The overall UK fleet average for Land Rover is 30 mpg.
- Land Rover has only ever made genuine 4x4 off-road vehicles and most are used off-road. Fifty-six per cent of Discovery owners go off road every month. Over half of Defenders are used for towing every week.
- The Freelander 2, achieves 37.7 mpg in diesel form. Its CO2 levels are 194 g/km – five per cent lower than the previous model.
- Ninety-nine point six per cent of Discovery 3 sales in the UK are diesel derivatives with a CO2 level of 249 g/km – which is on a par with many petrol family saloons and hot hatches, which don't have as many seats.
Link
A point that will be lost on most of the vegetablists.
I love the idea of outsourcing the tree growing. I wonder how many times they sell the same acreage to different clients
. Environazis are so angry, self righteous and clouded in judgement that they are ripe for a good pisstaking
. Environazis are so angry, self righteous and clouded in judgement that they are ripe for a good pisstaking
With the ability to crush trees of up to 300cm diameter and suffocate small furry animals up to a distance of 1.5 miles...
As a two Land Rover family we have been considering changing my Defender (which averages 29mpg) for something more economical, but still interesting to drive. The alternative I've considered most likely is a Fabia VRs which should give 45-50mpg. However, I'm finding it hard to counter my other concerns that "my" new car will be manufactured, shipped across Europe connsuming resources, will go through tyres at probably twice the rate of the Defender (running on remoulds), may require parts only available from the manufacturer, unlike the huge network of LR "recyclers" who can supply most parts that fail from age (now approaching 90K miles and over 6 years old) or break when used off-road.
Our other Land Rover is a Discovery, and whilst it rarely goes off road, it does carry two large dogs, is suitable for our long journeys, has good traction for use by my wife when see has to travel in bad weather (she is a Doctor so can be called out at any time of the night) returns 27-28mpg, has only covered 40K miles in over 4 years, is still on its original tyres. To replace it with a vehicle capabl;e of performing similar tasks would require a 4WD estate (such as a Subabru Legacy), which would be as big, and probably get similar or worse fuel consumption and probably not last as long.
Both vehicles were built in Britain, supporting British Industry, using British labour. Why should I buy something that is shipped across Europe, supports foreign workers etc, just to pacify some tree huggers?
PS If someone can justify it to me I'll consider the Skoda
As a two Land Rover family we have been considering changing my Defender (which averages 29mpg) for something more economical, but still interesting to drive. The alternative I've considered most likely is a Fabia VRs which should give 45-50mpg. However, I'm finding it hard to counter my other concerns that "my" new car will be manufactured, shipped across Europe connsuming resources, will go through tyres at probably twice the rate of the Defender (running on remoulds), may require parts only available from the manufacturer, unlike the huge network of LR "recyclers" who can supply most parts that fail from age (now approaching 90K miles and over 6 years old) or break when used off-road.
Our other Land Rover is a Discovery, and whilst it rarely goes off road, it does carry two large dogs, is suitable for our long journeys, has good traction for use by my wife when see has to travel in bad weather (she is a Doctor so can be called out at any time of the night) returns 27-28mpg, has only covered 40K miles in over 4 years, is still on its original tyres. To replace it with a vehicle capabl;e of performing similar tasks would require a 4WD estate (such as a Subabru Legacy), which would be as big, and probably get similar or worse fuel consumption and probably not last as long.
Both vehicles were built in Britain, supporting British Industry, using British labour. Why should I buy something that is shipped across Europe, supports foreign workers etc, just to pacify some tree huggers?
PS If someone can justify it to me I'll consider the Skoda
I wanted to say a similar thing but couldn't be bothered to type it! Land rover as perceived the 'bad guys' but what about other 4 x 4 makers or makers of larger engined cars (ferrari, porsche, bentley etc...) The truth is that the tree huggers are picking on easy targets, tackle air travel and poorly designed/regulated industries in certain parts of the world first> I'll carry on using my land Rover, Jag and Caterham thanks.
By running an older car you are effectively recycling and reusing. If you bought a new car you'd have to justify all that energy wasted in the production process.
JJ
which by my (very rough) calculations is similar to the energy consumption of a year of motoring (13000 miles, 35mpg, petrol).
The argument is marginal either way - i.e. if you could replace cars doing a lot of miles with much more efficient ones then there might be a CO2 saving that outweighs the CO2 from manufacturing.
Unless i crash it or something i see no reason why my rangie wont be running in 20 years time, you could go through 5 tin boxes by then. i read that 70% of all land rovers ever built are still working
more to the point the anti 4x4 thing is obviously nothing to do with the environment
Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff