British luxury automotive manufacturer Bentley Motors has announced it intends to become the world’s most sustainable luxury automotive manufacturer, just at it says it has achieved “carbon neutral” certification for its factory headquarters in Crewe.
The century-old manufacturer of luxury cars and SUVs says it has received carbon neutral certification from Carbon Trust that its Crewe factory headquarters meets the internationally recognised PAS 2060 standard for carbon neutrality.
Alrady, 100% of Bentley’s electricity is generated either by on-site solar panels or purchased as certified green electricity.
Bentley’s factory site in Crewe is home to the United Kingdom’s largest solar car port which consists of 10,000 solar panels and which was completed earlier this year.
The solar car port boasts a capacity of 2.7 MW and covered 1,378 car parking spaces – an area of 16,426m² – and brings the Crewe site’s solar capacity to 7.7 MW.
All emissions that cannot be eliminated are compensated with Gold Standard carbon credits to offset emissions that occur during the manufacturing process.
“While 2019 has marked Bentley’s centenary, our focus is now on preparing the business for the next 100 years,” crowed Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and Chief Executive Office of Bentley Motors.
“We want to lead the way in the delivery of sustainable luxury mobility – by providing our customers with products and services that reflect their own values.
“We are very conscious of our responsibility to consider the environmental, social and economic impact of our organisation, and today’s news is just the latest stage in this journey.”
Bentley Motor’s next step is to accelerate the push towards electrification, with its first fully electric Bentley slated for 2025.
Bentley has also already brought to market the first luxury plug-in hybrid vehicle – the Bentayga Hybrid – and is aiming to have hybrid variants of all its models by 2023 and a BEV by 2025.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.