Volkswagen is taking multiple steps to approach ultra-low-carbon mobility.
This will be achieved in a number of ways. One method is by investing in "carbon reduction projects across the country to offset emissions created from e-Golf production, distribution, and up to approximately 36,000 miles of driving."
Joerg Sommer, vice president of product marketing, Volkswagen of America, added:
“Volkswagen feels it is important to look beyond the benefits of driving a vehicle without tailpipe emissions and to take a holistic approach to e-mobility. The carbon offset program is a key element of Volkswagen’s holistic approach to e-Mobility. e-Golf customers can drive the vehicle confidently, knowing Volkswagen is addressing the vehicle’s environmental impacts through many stages of its lifecycle from production, distribution and charging.”
Volkswagen has also teamed up with 3Degrees,a renewable energy and carbon offset services provider. This will benefit the cause, as the two will work together to further reduce carbon footprint.
The projects do not stop there. There will also be:
"Garcia River Forestry Project
The Garcia River Conservation-Based Forest Management Project, located in Mendocino County, Calif., protects and preserves a 24,000-acre native redwood forest, increasing carbon sequestration and storage, while also helping to restore the natural wildlife habitat. Emission reductions produced by the project are verified by an approved third party and registered with the Climate Action Reserve.
Big River and Salmon Creek ForestsThe Big River and Salmon Creek Forests, located in Mendocino County, Calif., were subject historically to land fragmentation and unsustainable logging practices. In an effort to protect the native redwood and Douglas fir forest, the land is now protected through a 16,000-acre land purchase, which was funded in part by the carbon offsets it offers to organizations like Volkswagen. Emissions reductions produced by the project are verified by an approved third party and registered with the Climate Action Reserve.
McKinney Landfill
The McKinney Landfill project, based at a closed landfill in McKinney, Texas, works to capture gases that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere from anaerobic decomposition within the landfill. Benefits from the capture include odor reduction, improved water quality and future distributed renewable energy production. The sale of carbon offsets supports the gas collection and flaring project. The emission reductions are validated, verified and registered using the Climate Action Reserve’s Landfill Project Protocol."
Steve McDougal, President of 3Degrees states:
“Volkswagen is showing leadership by including carbon offsets as standard with this e-Golf electric vehicle. As more people choose low and no emission cars, Volkswagen is making it possible—and easy—to think comprehensively about the greenhouse gas emissions profile of a vehicle.”
On a slightly different note, VW says it will invest $10 million nationwide into charging infrastructure by the end of 2016 to increase EV adoption.
