The HCVA has today launched its latest initiative to help classic vehicles achieve Net-Zero CO2 emissions. The Historic and Classic Vehicles sector is already the epitome of sustainability with “Reuse, Repair, Recycle” at its core.
Whilst we all recognise that classic vehicles are a large part of our heritage as well as an important source of wellbeing and immense pleasure for their users and observers, they are also environmentally friendly! With annual usage below 1,200 miles a year the typical classic car produces less CO2 emissions annually than either your mobile phone or lap-top computer. However, the sector is striving to find ways to go even further to improve their minimal carbon footprint without impacting the heritage or enjoyment of the vehicles.
“The Historic and Classic vehicles sector is a vanishingly small contributor to the UK’s CO2 emissions yet contributes nearly £3 Billion to the exchequer each year,” said Garry Wilson, CEO of the HCVA. He added “Classic vehicles are also an important part of our cultural heritage so we want to ensure that the wider classic sector have the ability to achieve a Net-Zero status ahead of the mainstream automotive sector”.
Achieving Net-Zero does not require the replacement of power units. It can be achieved in several ways. The HCVA will embark on a programme of work with partners to review a range of options including the use of sustainable fuels. Today, working with NET-HERO, the team announces the HCVA’s CO2 offsetting project “Instant Offset”.
This exciting new initiative is a simple way to ensure that every classic driver can offset their carbon emissions. The easy-to-use platform enables classic car drivers to become environmentally friendly in three steps, starting at a cost of two pence per mile. So, if a typical classic car clocks up an average annual mileage (1,200 miles a year) this would enable the driver to offset their carbon emissions from as little as £30.
The fee is then channeled towards supporting high quality, ethical carbon credit projects around the world such as afforestation and the restoration and protection of vital carbon rich peatlands and grasslands. Whatever your offset cost, a contribution of £2 goes toward helping the HCVA fund our campaigning to protect the future of classic and historic vehicles and a further £2 takes care of the administration of the scheme by NET-HERO.
Every driver using the scheme will receive a certificate and vignette to demonstrate their status as an environmentally responsible driver.
This is a high quality, transparent way of offsetting your own carbon footprint whilst investing in the protection of our beloved classic vehicles AND our beautiful natural world.
Henry Pearman, Director of the HCVA said “This new initiative accelerates us on a journey to Net- Zero. As the sector already has strong environmental credentials this project, together with others, could make us Sub-Zero!”
Garry Wilson added “We need to maximise our efforts to support this initiative which means growing our funding and that means growth in membership. We look forward to meeting current members and adding new members to the cause at the forthcoming NEC show on our Stand 644 in Hall 2”.
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