Melissa Test Drives a Carbon Neutral Car
Episode: # 29 15/12/07
Presenter: Melissa King
Sustainability is a philosophy that we here at the Garden Gurus are passionate about. But sustainability is more than just being waterwise in the garden. The type of car you drive is also an important decision when considering ways to save our environment.
Now you might think this is an unusual topic for us to talk about, but this car, The Honda Civic Hybrid, can also be considered to be a good thing for our parks and gardens.
The Hybrid not only combines a petrol engine with an electric motor which cuts fuel consumption and carbon emissions but it is Honda’s initiative with Greenfleet Australia that really drives home its environmental impact.
Interview with Mark Higgins from Honda Australia
Melissa: “So Mark the car comes with an environmental warranty, what does that mean?”
Mark: “It means that when you purchase the Civic Hybrid over the first three years of its motoring life it will be carbon neutral. Simply because when you buy the car we have a partnership, an environmental warranty, with Greenfleet and they will plant six trees each year for the first three years on your behalf to make the car carbon neutral. So you can enjoy the Civic Hybrid, enjoy the mobility it gives you, knowing that you are still caring for the environment.”
Melissa: “So it’s a guilt free drive.”
Mark: “Yeah, a totally guilt free drive and you’ve got fantastic fuel economy aswell so it’s the best of both worlds.”
Since 1997 Greenfleet has planted nearly 2.5 million trees on behalf of motorists and fleets. The trees are a mix of native species and are put back where they are needed most to restore original ecosystems, improve soil quality and tackle salinity.
Melissa: “O.K so it’s environmentally friendly, but I’m fascinated how on earth do these things work?”
Mark: “It’s very simple Melissa. We have a 1.3 litre petrol engine and a small electric engine which will assist it. What it means is that, for example, when you come to a stop the petrol engine cuts out and the electric engine automatically runs so you’re not using any fuel and there is no co² being burnt, when you take your foot of the brake pedal the petrol engine automatically starts again and away you go. Additionally when you are driving along and cruising down the road you have a situation where the battery is being recharged by the regenerative braking system that recharges the battery. So you will always have plenty of charge in your hybrid battery to run the electric motor.”
This new generation Hybrid uses only 4.6 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres compared to the average family car at 11 litres over the same distance.
If the human race is to reverse the effects of climate change we all need to do our bit whether adopting waterwise practices in the garden or reducing carbon emissions. Cars like the Civic Hybrid are important innovations in the battle for a cleaner and greener world.
Honda Civic Hybrid
The stylish Civic Hybrid is definitely green. But when it comes to fitting your lifestyle, this technological marvel is also true-blue.
Greenfleet Australia
1800 032 999
Presenter: Melissa King
Sustainability is a philosophy that we here at the Garden Gurus are passionate about. But sustainability is more than just being waterwise in the garden. The type of car you drive is also an important decision when considering ways to save our environment.
Now you might think this is an unusual topic for us to talk about, but this car, The Honda Civic Hybrid, can also be considered to be a good thing for our parks and gardens.
The Hybrid not only combines a petrol engine with an electric motor which cuts fuel consumption and carbon emissions but it is Honda’s initiative with Greenfleet Australia that really drives home its environmental impact.
Interview with Mark Higgins from Honda Australia
Melissa: “So Mark the car comes with an environmental warranty, what does that mean?”
Mark: “It means that when you purchase the Civic Hybrid over the first three years of its motoring life it will be carbon neutral. Simply because when you buy the car we have a partnership, an environmental warranty, with Greenfleet and they will plant six trees each year for the first three years on your behalf to make the car carbon neutral. So you can enjoy the Civic Hybrid, enjoy the mobility it gives you, knowing that you are still caring for the environment.”
Melissa: “So it’s a guilt free drive.”
Mark: “Yeah, a totally guilt free drive and you’ve got fantastic fuel economy aswell so it’s the best of both worlds.”
Since 1997 Greenfleet has planted nearly 2.5 million trees on behalf of motorists and fleets. The trees are a mix of native species and are put back where they are needed most to restore original ecosystems, improve soil quality and tackle salinity.
Melissa: “O.K so it’s environmentally friendly, but I’m fascinated how on earth do these things work?”
Mark: “It’s very simple Melissa. We have a 1.3 litre petrol engine and a small electric engine which will assist it. What it means is that, for example, when you come to a stop the petrol engine cuts out and the electric engine automatically runs so you’re not using any fuel and there is no co² being burnt, when you take your foot of the brake pedal the petrol engine automatically starts again and away you go. Additionally when you are driving along and cruising down the road you have a situation where the battery is being recharged by the regenerative braking system that recharges the battery. So you will always have plenty of charge in your hybrid battery to run the electric motor.”
This new generation Hybrid uses only 4.6 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres compared to the average family car at 11 litres over the same distance.
If the human race is to reverse the effects of climate change we all need to do our bit whether adopting waterwise practices in the garden or reducing carbon emissions. Cars like the Civic Hybrid are important innovations in the battle for a cleaner and greener world.
Honda Civic Hybrid
The stylish Civic Hybrid is definitely green. But when it comes to fitting your lifestyle, this technological marvel is also true-blue.
Greenfleet Australia
1800 032 999
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