The automotive industry has long been considered a major contributor to the environmental problems we all face today.

Whilst that statement is certainly true, much work has been done in recent years by car manufacturers such as Renault to reduce or even eliminate the harmful effects of manufacturing and vehicle emissions.

Also, great strides have been made in the areas of fuel consumption and the recyclability of Vauxhall cars and commercials, with stiff targets and objectives being set in order to deliver a motoring experience that is much less impacting on the environment.

ECOFLEX: PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMY

Welcome to the ecoFLEX revolution

As a manufacturer, we take our environmental responsibilities seriously. We’re cutting emissions, streamlining the manufacturing process and using more and more recycled materials in our cars. These changes are already making a significant difference to our environmental impact.

It’s more complicated than that though. We all love cars and we all love to drive. We still want performance, practicality and a pleasurable experience behind the wheel. The big question is – can you have both?

Our vision is to create environmentally-friendly cars that are fun to drive. We believe it can be done and we think that our ecoFLEX technology is the answer.

What is ecoFLEX? Essentially, ecoFLEX technology consists of a lot of small, clever, changes that add up to a big increase in overall efficiency. Obviously, that means significant improvements to a car’s fuel systems. Less obviously, it also means eliminating other hidden drags on fuel consumption by improving aerodynamics, refining gearing and re-engineering tyre profiles. When you see a car sporting an ecoFLEX badge, you’re looking at one of the most fuel-efficient, low-CO2 emitting cars we’ve ever produced.

This is only the beginning

ecoFLEX is the first step towards our ultimate goal of maximum efficiency coupled with maximum driving pleasure. It’s part of a process that’s helping us develop cars that are kinder to the environment yet still a joy to drive.

Beat the Congestion Charge

Eight Vauxhall ecoFLEX models go Congestion Charge-free

Eight Vauxhall Corsa ecoFLEX models qualify for London’s new Greener Vehicle Discount (GVD), which came into force on 5 January 2011, replacing the old Alternative Fuel Discount. The new discount promises total Congestion Charge exemption to drivers of Euro 5-compliant cars that emit 100g/km of CO2 or less.

Corsa Excite advantage

Vauxhall’s eight Congestion Charge-beaters start with the Corsa 1.3 CDTi ecoFLEX Start/Stop 3-door S model, which emits just 94g/km and 78.5mpg on the combined cycle, and up to 91.1mpg on the extra-urban cycle.

Seven more sub-100g/km Corsa ecoFLEXs are available in a host of different trims, as well as in five-door form – and all emit less than 95g/km.

We also welcome Boris Johnson’s announcement that electric vehicles will be eligible for GVD, which will include our Ampera E-REV when it goes on sale in early 2012.”

*Note: an optional £9 charge is available to drivers who register for the Congestion Charging Auto-Pay scheme.

Van ecoFLEX - Bigger choice. Smaller footprint. Green credentials are becoming a higher priority for customers looking to reduce the carbon footprint of their vehicles. At Vauxhall, we take our environmental responsibilities seriously. We're cutting emissions, streamlining the manufacturing process and using more and more recycled materials in our vehicles. As a result, our New Corsavan is now best in class with CO2 emissions of only 95/km. With the launch of ecoFLEX commercial vehicles, we can offer an 'eco' model across our whole van range. The range includes four Vauxhall Vivaro models, three Combos, and one model for Corsavan, Astravan and Movano.

When you see a Vauxhall commercial vehicle sporting an ecoFLEX badge, you are looking at one of the lowest-CO2-emitting models in its range.

New Corsavan ecoFLEX
Astravan ecoFLEX
Combo ecoFLEX
Vivaro ecoFLEX
New Movano ecoFLEX

VAUXHALL'S RECYCLING-ORIENTED DESIGN

Makes recycling it so much easier

Objective: To increase the efficiency of the recycling process by designing products from the start to be recyclable.

Vauxhall's design for recycling strategy is an element of our product responsibility. It has the twin aims of decreasing the waste produced during vehicle production and then further reducing waste at the end of a vehicle's life. This drives preservation of precious material and energy resources.

The strategy rests on two principles: Recycling-oriented Design / Design for pre-treatment

Development and implementation of material 'cycles' for vehicle production:

Teams within GM must follow 'Recyclability/Recoverability' guidelines. The aim is to support both GM engineers and suppliers in the development of vehicles and components where recyclability is built in. The process also helps engineers to analyse parts, components and vehicles with regard to their recyclability and recoverability - the ease with which parts can be recycled at the end of life.

Vauxhall has a long tradition of using recycled materials, also known as recyclates. One of Vauxhall’s recycling targets is to increase the quantity of recycled materials, also known as recyclates, in the production of its cars. More than 130 plastic recyclate types have been specified and approved for use in production.

Recyclates are always preferred over virgin material, as long as their usage is technically feasible and economically viable. Beyond that, recyclate types are released exclusively for a number of parts (e.g. fender liners, splash protection, engine beauty cover). Indeed, such is the comparable quality of recycled materials versus new materials that they are no longer restricted to hidden parts but are used for many visible parts as well.

The Vauxhall recycling team takes every effort to maintain high standards of performance and mechanical and thermal durability. Quality is never compromised.

THE VAUXHALL RECOVERY CONCEPT

What will happen to vehicles when they come to the end of their lives?

Delivery: The last holder delivers the ELV to a contracted dismantler. After checking the vehicle the dismantler will issue the required Certificate of Destruction (CoD).

Pre-Treatment and Depollution: First of all the battery is taken off and the airbags are neutralized. Then the dismantler takes off all fuels as well as all other operating fluids of the ELV. This includes engine oil, transmission oil, brake fluid as well as coolant & refrigerant fluid from the air conditioning system.

Dismantling: The next step is the dismantling of components and systems in order to market them as used part or to use them as basis for remanufactured parts. If economically viable, materials like plastic or glass are taken off for recycling purposes.

Storage: Environmentally hazardous materials are collected and later on sent to specialised recovery companies for recovery or disposal.

Shredder: The pre-treated hulks are delivered to a shredder which segregates the ELV into pieces and sorts the output into various fractions for further recycling or recovery.

Post-Shredder Technology (PST): The segregated material fractions from the shredder are further processed with different technologies (magnet, eddy current, flotation) to obtain material fractions which can be used as valuable secondary raw material.

Recycling / Recovery / Landfill: Material fractions from the shredder and from PST plants can be recycled (e.g. as replacement for coal in the blast furnace, as dewatering means for conditioning of sewage sludge) or recovered in the cement industry. This process chain enables a recovery of 85 % of the vehicle and reduces drastically the amount of remaining waste for landfill.

All information correct at time of published date (15th November 2011). All information and/or offers are subject to amendment or withdrawal without notice.

Platinum Vauxhall & The Environment Although product innovations with regard to reducing environmental impact are the preserve of Vauxhall themselves, Platinum Vauxhall are also committed to an ongoing process environmental responsibility, centred around waste reduction, energy efficiency, recycling of rubbish, and the responsible disposal of waste materials.

During the design of the Platinum Motor Park in Trowbridge (known at the time as the “Meridian Project”), which houses Platinum Vauxhall, environmental and green issues were given a very high priority and were an important part of the original design brief.