The first fruits of Ford's 'eco quest' (announced on 17 July), are taking shape, with a CO2 project from Land Rover and a biofuel concept version of the Focus Coupe Cabriolet.
Announced this morning at the British motor show, the Land Rover CO2 offset programme will offset over two million tonnes of CO2 between now and 2008 - that's roughly the same as the CO2 output of 125,000 homes during the same period.
From the 2007 model year, Land Rover customers will pay to offset the emissions over their vehicle (a figure is based on 45,000 miles over three years). Buyers will pay an additional £85 to £165 to do this, but Land Rover's research sugest that they are prepared to 'play an active role'.
The scheme will be managed by Climate Care, an independent firm specialising in CO2 offsetting. Sources also suggest that new Land Rover buyers will get a 'Climate Care' sticker to display in their windscreen - a tactic, perhaps, to reduce the risk of the car being targeted by environmentalists...
Ford has revealed a biofuel version of its new Focus CC, meanwhile. The Coupe-Cabriolet Flexible Fuel Vehicle is designed to showcase the concept beyond the regular Focus model. Biofuel models are currently available in five-door and estate versions, and Ford confirmed today that it is now selling a flexible fuel version of the C-MAX.
Ford of Britain chairman Roelant de Waard said, "Ford has invested heavily in the expansion of this new green technology. Now the government needs to join us and make flexible fuel motoring an even more attractive option for UK customers."
Ford has also announced that its own insurance division is to offer a discount of 'at least 15 per cent' to drivers of flexible fuel Focuses over their petrol/diesel-powered counterparts.
Ironically, though, Ford elected to fly an 'ice model' of the Focus CC all the way from Canada to London for the show - a tactic that can hardly have done much for global CO2 emissions.
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