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At the Management Briefing Seminar hosted by the Center for Automotive Research, Volkswagen of America announced plans to develop ultra-low-carbon cars as a part of approach to e-mobility. Starting with the launch of the zero-tailpipe emissions 2015 e-Golf model, Volkswagen will invest in carbon reduction projects to offset emissions created from e-Golf production, distribution and driving. Volkswagen also named SunPower as the official solar energy partner power provider. Through these collaborations, Volkswagen will be one of the first high-volume manufacturers to deliver a truly holistic approach to ultra-low-carbon mobility.
Providing Solar Energy Solutions, Partnering with SunPower
SunPower provides qualified U.S. Volkswagen e-Golf customers with the opportunity to install a high performance SunPower solar system. A residential SunPower system can help customers save on annual household electricity costs as well as power their electric vehicle, reducing overall cost of ownership.
Volkswagen Group of America is SunPower's first automotive partner whose customers will receive premier access to an energy storage solution from SunPower for a limited time once it becomes commercially available. Combining solar with energy storage will help provide homeowners peace-of-mind and opportunity to access back-up power during a power outage.
"Investing in a residential SunPower solar system is a reliable, cost-effective way for Volkswagen customers to help manage household electricity costs and charge their electric vehicle with emissions-free energy," said Tom Werner, president and CEO of SunPower. "Partnering with Volkswagen is a natural fit for SunPower, given our shared passion for delivering innovative, alternative energy solutions that help customers power their lives sustainably, and for the long term."
Carbon Reduction Projects
To help determine its carbon offset projects, Volkswagen teamed with 3Degrees, a renewable energy and carbon offset services provider, to purchase carbon offsets in California and around the U.S. to cover certain greenhouse gas (GHG) emission associated with 2015 e-Golf models.
"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," said Oliver Schmidt, general manager, Environment and Engineering Office, Volkswagen Group of America. "We now have the ability to offer offsets that approximate the emissions created from production, distribution and the initial 36,000 miles of use."
Volkswagen-supported projects include:
Steve McDougal, President of 3Degrees, commented: "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."
Charging Solutions
Volkswagen's holistic approach to e-mobility also extends to the ownership experience. The company recently announced that Bosch Automotive Service Solutions will serve as a charging station and installation services partner for the e-Golf. Additionally, Volkswagen has selected ChargePoint® to complete the owner experience by providing all authorized e-Golf dealerships with VW-branded charging stations and by giving e-Golf drivers access to the largest network of public EV charging stations. As a result, e-Golf drivers will have access to over 18,000 ChargePoint stations around the U.S., in addition to those stations installed at authorized VW dealerships.
The 2015 e-Golf will go on sale later this year at participating dealerships in select US states and will bring zero-tailpipe emissions to the Golf family of vehicles.
(Photo: Volkswagen's 2013 e-Golf. Photo Credit: Commons Wikimedia)