Research carried out on behalf of The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), in conjunction with the RMI and the Carbon Trust, has revealed that dealers could expect to save up to a massive £10,000 every year if they were to simply reduce the amount of energy they consume.
The research has outlined simple, cost effective steps that dealers could implement to save themselves money. It is believed that if dealers implement these simple measures, they could save up to 25% off their annual energy spend. 30 dealers, of varying types and sizes, representing a cross section of the industry, were visited as part of the research. Each dealer inspected had different levels of energy consumption, to ensure the research was representative of the dealership sector as a whole.
The report has outlined practical steps in the form of a 7 step action plan that every dealership can implement to reduce their carbon footprint. Steps such as resetting heating controls on boilers, repairing doorseals and adjusting air conditioning settings are suggested. It is believed that some of these measures could actually lead to a saving of more than £4,000, without dealers having to spend a single penny.
Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of SMMT, believes that the reduction of energy costs will not only help dealers sustain their businesses, but it will also help improve the motor industry’s carbon footprint as a whole. In fact, it is estimated that up to £50m could be saved across the automotive retail network each year, based on the number of dealerships in the UK, which amounts to a reduction of 300,000 tonnes of C02. Certainly not insignificant!
Tom Delay, Chief Executive of the Carbon Trust has praised the SMMT for taking the initiative to help dealers to make savings. Delay said “All businesses can save significant amounts of money by cutting down on wasted energy. Car dealerships are no exception”.
Think Insurance, the motor trade insurance specialist, felt it was important to bring the findings of this research to all traders in the UK. These simple, cost effective measures could mean a greener business as well as a healthier bank balance.