BVRLA Fleets save three million tonnes of CO2 in just four years

In recent research, the BVRLA has found that CO2 emissions from its Members’ vehicles have fallen by three million tonnes over the last four years. “This is a staggering amount of greenhouse gas that’s been saved,” says John Lewis, BVRLA Director General. “It’s equivalent to a tonne and a half of CO2 for every business car in our Members’ fleets. And that’s the same as the weight of the car itself. Imagine, if you can, two million cars – (it’s a line of vehicles, nine abreast stretching from London to John O’Groats or a single line extending for 6,250 miles) – that’s the weight of carbon dioxide saved.”

The research was carried out on Members’ fleets towards the end of 2007. It was found that average CO2 emissions have reduced from 171.8 g/km in 2003 to 157.4 g/km in 2007. “That’s just in direct emissions, of course,” Lewis continued. “But our Members and their customers are doing more than just choosing lower polluting cars. They’re covering fewer miles. Average mileages have reduced from more than 25,000 miles pa to 21,643 miles last year.

“Put these two areas together and this is a resounding success in our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the fleet sector as exemplified by our Members and their customers. But we certainly are not going to be stopping here. We’ve recently introduced a new greener motoring section on our website that not only allows you to calculate the carbon footprint of more than 4,000 different models but which also has a section on the various incentives for using fuel efficient vehicles plus how to create a travel plan, tips for fuel efficient driving, telematics and tele-working. And while Members can access this through the Members Only section, customers can too via their supplier’s website.

Lewis concluded, “The savings have been tremendous so far, as have been the benefits of safer, more eco-friendly driving, but we now want to go even further and save at least the same amount of CO2 again but this time over a much shorter period.”