Carbon Trust helps Ford speed up energy efficient plan

The Carbon Trust’s energy efficiency implementation service is being offered to all Ford dealer sites to help them reduce costs, improve environmental performance and enhance the customer experience.

Based on pilot assessments, the Carbon Trust has identified savings of up to £11m that could be made from improvements in site operation, as well as through upgrading internal and external lighting.

Alongside the new initiative, Ford is working to reduce the environmental impact of its vehicles and manufacturing sites, which includes the introduction of wind turbines at Ford’s Dagenham plant and solar panels at the Bridgend plant in Wales.

Miles Maiklem, market representation and business manager for Ford of Britain told edie: “There are continuing improvements in Ford’s manufacturing sites across the UK, with [the company’s] latest range of fuel-efficient and low-CO2 engines being built at Dagenham in London, and Bridgend in Wales.

“Ford is working closely with the UK’s largest dealer network to reduce their impact on the environment as well as realise effective cost reductions in their energy usage.

Mr Maiklem added: “Ford has decided to join forces with the Carbon Trust, encouraging dealers to access to the tools and expertise available, ultimately leading to reduced energy consumption and a smaller carbon footprint for Ford and its dealer network.

Working with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the Carbon Trust has identified that most car dealerships can make savings on their energy bills of up to 10% through zero-cost activities, and with modest investment those savings can exceed 25%.

Myles McCarthy, managing director of Carbon Trust Implementation Services, said: “By helping to drive their dealerships to become more energy efficient, Ford is demonstrating a commitment to greening its operations through to the point of sale.

The Carbon Trust will provide services to Ford’s UK dealers, which includes practical advice on low or zero cost solutions for energy efficiency and assessing where energy savings can be delivered with new equipment.

Mark Ovenden, Ford of Britain managing director, said: “In a challenging economy, the opportunity for improving energy efficiency and reducing costs is important to Ford, its dealers, and the UK motor industry as a whole. We are looking forward to working with the Carbon Trust to deliver Ford of Britain’s lowest ever carbon footprint.”

Leigh Stringer