Volkswagen of America announces carbon-reduction projects

Published August 5, 2014 by Robert Powell, III

Herndon-based Volkswagen of America Inc. has announced plans to invest in carbon reduction projects to offset greenhouse gas emissions connected with its 2015 e-Golf electric car.

The projects are intended to counteract emissions from the producing, distributing and charging a car through the initial 36,000 miles of the vehicle's life.

The 2015 e-Golf will go on sale in the U.S. later this year.

Volkswagen is partnering with 3Degrees, a renewable energy and carbon offset services provider.

The carbon-reduction projects include:
• The Garcia River Conservation-Based Forest Management Project in Mendocino County, Calif.
•  The Big River and Salmon Creek Forests, also located in Mendocino County.
•  The McKinney Landfill project, based in McKinney, Texas.

Volkswagen also is partnering with solar energy company Sun Power to provide qualified U.S. e-Golf customers the opportunity to install a residential  solar power system.

The company said the solar power systems can help customers save on household electricity bills while reducing the overall cost of owning an electric vehicle.