By purchasing Chevrolet vehicles in 2011, fleet customers will be contributing to the automaker’s $40M clean-energy investment project. Chevrolet’s goal is to reduce 8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions through various energy efficiency, renewable energy, and conservation initiatives throughout America. Eight million metric tons is equivalent to the emissions in 2011 from driving the 1.9 million vehicles Chevrolet is expected to sell in the United States over the next year; a figure that includes the brand’s anticipated fleet sales.
"This is one more way Chevrolet is helping businesses of all kinds green their vehicle fleets," said Brian Small, general director of GM’s fleet and commercial operations. “When a fleet manager purchases vehicles from Chevrolet, they know they are also contributing to a cleaner environment.”
Chevrolet’s clean energy investments to be implemented in the next three to five years may include projects such as:
- Providing energy efficient technology such as smart energy sensors and solar panels to schools and other community-based facilities in need of upgrades to decrease carbon dioxide emissions and reduce heating bills.
- Supporting wind farms and solar projects that deliver renewable energy to the grid and also help family farms increase their revenues per acre.
- Capturing flammable methane from community landfills that delivers clean energy to the grid and improves local air quality and safety.
- Contributing to forestry projects throughout America.
“This is a good opportunity for Chevrolet to connect with its fleet customers through clean energy projects that directly impact many of the communities in which they operate,” added Small.
Chevy will be making investments through third-party organizations such as Bonneville Environmental Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Ore. To define project criteria and the program’s investment portfolio, GM has engaged environmental experts, non-government organizations and academics through the Climate Neutral Business Network.
For more information about Chevrolet’s clean energy investment initiatives, visit Chevy Carbon Reduction.
