DETROIT - By purchasing Chevrolet vehicles during the next year, 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."
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 8 million metric tons equals the CO2 emissions of one year of electricity use in 970,874 homes or the annual carbon reduction from 1.7 million acres of pine forest.
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.
Since 1990, GM has decreased its manufacturing emissions by 60 percent. GM also has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to build fuel-efficient vehicles like the Chevrolet Cruze Eco, which gets an EPA-estimated 42 mpg on the highway, and the Chevy Volt electric car with extended-range capability. The Volt allows 25-50 miles of pure electric driving on a single charge after which a small gasoline engine/generator creates electricity for an additional 300 miles.
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 www.chevycarbonreduction.com. Also, for ongoing updates go to the ChevyCarbon Twitter handle, Facebook tab Cleaner Energy, or GM's BeyondNow blog.
About General Motors
General Motors, one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 209,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in more than 120 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall, and Wuling. GM's largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Russia. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.
