News

JAKE HUMPHREY LAUNCHES THE ECODRIVING COMPETITION AT LOTUS.

19 Jan 2010

Jake Humphrey helps Shaping Norfolk's Future launch the EcoDriving Competition.

Jake Humphrey, the TV Formula 1 presenter, has beaten Norfolk businesses on an EcoDriving simulator, at a business breakfast event held at Lotus Headquarters in Norfolk.  
 
The simulator demonstrated that Jake had applied some of the key EcoDriving principles, which improve the economy of the vehicle and provide a 20% reduction in fuel consumption.  
 
The event launches a new EcoDriving competition to be held at the Forum, Norwich in March. The competition is aimed at Norfolk businesses, especially those that operate a transport fleet. Businesses across Norfolk are challenged to compete against each other and to sign up to EcoSafe Driver training provided by Norfolk County Council.  
 
The aim of the competition is to;  
 
Increase road safety  
 
Raise awareness of the financial savings that businesses can achieve by adopting the principles of EcoDriving  
 
Reduce transport-related carbon emissions within the county  
 
Jake Humphrey welcomed the 30 business guests to the event, saying;  
 
"this competition is a great way of encouraging businesses to save money and reduce their CO2 emissions. As a previous Norfolk resident, I think it is really important that we work together to ensure that it continues to be a great place to live and work."  
 
The competition has been organised by the Sustainable Prosperity Group which is part of Shaping Norfolk's Future; the county's economic development partnership. 
 
Ian Findlater, Group Business Development Director, May Gurney and Chairman of the Sustainable Prosperity Group said;  
 
"reducing carbon emissions can create substantial savings for business. May Gurney is committed to lead our industry by reducing our carbon emissions by 50% over three years, which will save our company £1 million."  
 
Lee Preston, the Environment Manager at Lotus, highlighted the company's commitment to the environment, stating;  
 
"Lotus is fully committed to lowering the impact of our business on the environment. Lotus' engineering research and development is undertaking extensive work to create more lightweight and efficient vehicles and the use of alternative fuels. Lotus creates the most efficient vehicles in our market."  
 
Nick Schiller, Managing Director of Archant Print, which operates 700 fleet vehicles, is encouraging its drivers to choose greener cars through a bonus payment scheme.  
 
"We expected 15% of our drivers to take up this new initiative which gives back £40 per month to drivers. The take-up by our drivers is now as high as 25%. By moving from 70% to 100% diesel vehicles, the company is likely to save £38k." Archant is currently providing 40 of their drivers with the Eco Safe driver training delivered by the Casualty Reduction Section at Norfolk County Council. 
 
Norfolk County Council offers EcoSafe Driver training aimed at businesses, organisations and individuals. Sally Plail the Driver and Rider Development Manager outlined the training, the costs and benefits, saying,  
 
"This will increase road safety, improve economy and reduce co2 emissions. It takes just two hours to train each driver in EcoSafe Driving at a cost of £66 per person. The training is low cost to the administrator and is delivered at your premises." 
 
To find out more and book a team onto the competition please Click on the EcoDriving logo on the main SNF page or the Sustainable Prosperity page.

For additional information please click here

< Back to news listings