Ford and the Carbon Trust have announced a new collaboration
designed to deliver energy efficiency services across Ford's
network of over 550 dealerships throughout the UK. Based on pilot
assessments the Carbon Trust have identified savings of up to £11
million that could be made just with improvements in site
operation, as well as through upgrading internal and external
lighting.
A co-branded 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. This new initiative builds on Ford's continuing work 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.
Working with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
(SMMT), the Carbon Trust have identified that most car dealerships
can make savings on their energy bills of up to 10 per cent through
zero-cost activities, and with modest investment those savings can
exceed 25 per cent.[1] By taking
the opportunity to install new energy-efficient equipment such as
lighting, heating, ventilation and cooling, the returns on
investment can be surprisingly quick. For example, with new LED
lighting, capital returns can often be realised in just one to
three years, and ongoing maintenance savings will continue to
accumulate throughout the longer lifespan of the lamps.
Carbon Trust
Implementation Services will help Ford's UK dealers by:
- Providing a bespoke Ford dealer toolkit containing practical
advice on low or zero cost solutions for energy efficiency, with
best practice examples and employee engagement checklists;
- Assessing where energy savings can be delivered with new
equipment, giving expert advice on technology, timeframes for
return on investment, and helping to develop a business case;
- Assisting with the tendering process, providing access to a
trusted pool of accredited suppliers, matching customers with the
right skills at the right price;
- Getting the project off the ground with an energy
efficiency finance scheme operated in partnership with Siemens.
Where finance is provided for capital expenditure then savings on
energy bills often entirely offset the cost of repayment, or can
even make the investment cash positive.
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 their
operations through to the point of sale. The Carbon Trust is very
pleased to be working with a leading company like Ford that is
taking action on its carbon footprint, as well as delivering
welcome savings for the largest dealership network in the UK."
Notes to editors
For more information and to speak to a Carbon Trust
spokesperson, please contact the Carbon Trust press office on 0207
544 3100 or press@carbontrust.com.
About the Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust are independent experts with a mission to
accelerate the move to a low carbon economy.
They advise businesses, governments and the public sector on
their opportunities in a sustainable, low carbon world.
They measure and certify the environmental footprint of
organisations, supply chains and products.
They help develop and deploy low carbon technologies and
solutions, from energy efficiency to renewable power.
The Carbon Trust has already helped over 35,000 customers
introduce £1.6bn worth of energy efficient equipment, resulting in
a £3.7bn reduction in energy costs. Those customers have included
tens of thousands of small and medium sized enterprises and 75% of
the FTSE100.