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Land Rover to offset carbon dioxide emissions

Land Rover is to offset carbon dioxide emissions from the manufacture and use of its products. The pilot scheme, operating in the UK only, will see Land Rover offset the CO2 from Defender, Discovery and Range Rover production at Solihull and the new Freelander at the Halewood plant.

From 2007 model year, all UK customers will pay to offset the CO2 from their car, based on 45 000 miles at the official CO2 rating.

Phil Popham, managing director of Land Rover, said: “This industry leading initiative follows hard on the heels of our Land-e technological exhibit which showcases innovative hybrid electric powertrains and biofuel capability.”

The cost will vary between models but will range from £85 to £165, and will be listed alongside the other charges that make up the retail price. Land Rover says its research shows customers are prepared to play an active role in reducing their carbon impact on the environment.

The scheme will be managed by Climate Care, which provides CO2 offset through projects that focus on renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and forest restoration around the globe. Past Climate Care projects have included wind turbines in India, installing low energy lighting in South Africa and providing renewable energy cooking stoves to schools in India.

A third party governance committee will oversee all admin and implementation.

Mike Mason, founder and director of Climate Care, said: “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.”

The new Freelander 2 diesel, which the company says will be its best seller, achieves 37.7mpg and 194g/km CO2. Based on these figures, action taken per Freelander has to offset 14 tons of the gas over the 45,000 miles. When the pilot finishes at the end of 2008, Land Rover’s programme will have offset more than two million tons of CO2 – equivalent to that generated by 125,000 average homes in that same period.