Climate-friendly cars for Soil Association inspectors

20 November 2009

Last week four inspectors received the first of our new fleet of cars - an eco-friendly version of the VW Golf.

Inspectors are encouraged to use public transport where possible, but most inspections, especially farm inspections, involve a car journey.

In an attempt to help reduce costs and our carbon footprint, we are changing our fleet from Vauxhall Astras, some of which are over five years old, to 'blue-motion' Golfs.

Inspectors can average over 65 miles per gallon in their new cars (Iain Rogerson managed over 70mpg for one trip). Other ways that we try to reduce our costs and impact on the environment include, inspectors attending an eco-friendly driving course, grouping inspections in an area together, trying to do two inspections in a day where possible, and staying away over night.