Nissan establishes Zero Emission Fund; CO2 offset credits for LEAF owners in Japan
11 June 2012
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| Flows for the Zero Emission Fund. Click to enlarge. |
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. launched the Nissan Zero Emission Fund, a new fund for individual Nissan electric vehicle (EV) owners in Japan which converts the amount of CO2 emissions that are offset by driving the 100% electric Nissan LEAF to generate credits.
Through participation in this fund program, Nissan LEAF owners will be able to generate CO2 emissions credits certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and sold to the Green Investment Promotion Organization, an organization that promotes investment in low carbon emissions. Profits earned by the sale of the credits will be invested by the fund to support the installation of quick charging facilities and forest conservation activities.
The Nissan LEAF’s total annual distance traveled is automatically collected by the NISSAN CARWINGS Data Center through its continuous on-board communication unit. The system calculates and certifies the amount of CO2 emissions that are avoided by driving zero-emissions vehicles.
Nissan will engage in forest conservation efforts together with “more trees,” a generally incorporated foundation in Japan. Nissan and more trees will use part of the profits generated by the fund to facilitate conservation of thinning forests in Japan that need reforestation, to be designated “LEAF Forests.”
In fiscal 2012, forest conservation activities will be conducted in the following areas which have reservoirs supplying water to residents of Tokyo and Yokohama City, Kanagawa prefecture: Tabayama-mura, Kosuge-mura and Doushi-mura in Yamanashi prefecture. Forest conservation areas will be gradually expanded in line with the level of profits earned by the fund.
As the amount of offset CO2 emissions is calculated according to the distance traveled, the more that Nissan LEAF owners participate, the more CO2 emissions are reduced, and this ultimately will contribute toward the installation of quick chargers as well as environmental conservation through the Nissan Zero Emission Fund, the company said.
The flexibility of electric vehicles is fascinating.
Few note that the 100% internal combustion engine automobile failed in the marketplace a century ago - list the percentage of oil burning cars sold WITHOUT electric motors - aka 'starters'.
Last month, 'hybrids' were 19% of Japan's new car sales. All electric vehicles were another few percent.
There is a clear electric trend. Those who think otherwise should stick-to-their-guns and avoid electric devices - esp. those cell phone and internet ones.
Posted by: kelly | 11 June 2012 at 06:13 AM