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 Renault 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.

Renault and the Environment

What Is Eco2? A vehicle is given the Renault Eco2 symbol if it: Emits less than 140g/km of CO2 or operates on biofuels (in France), on E85 ethanol or on B30 biodiesel Is manufactured in a plant that has been certified ISO 14001 Can be 95% recoverable at the end of its lifecycle (recyclable for other use or as a source of energy) and it includes at least 5% recycled plastics in its plastic mass.

C02 Emissions

"The vehicle emits less than 140g/km of CO2 or operates on biofuels (in France), on E85 ethanol or on B30 biodiesel" CO2 is the main culprit behind the greenhouse effect that threatens climate change. Through the use of fossil fuel, motor vehicles release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. Vehicles that emit less than 140g / km of greenhouse gases consume at least 47.9 mpg for a petrol engine or 53.3 mpg for a diesel engine.

Biofuels help reduce CO2 emissions as the plants used to create them absorb the CO2 in the atmosphere through photosynthesis.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and energy consumption

CO2 is the main culprit behind the greenhouse effect that threatens climate change. In consuming corresponding amounts of fossil fuel, motor vehicles release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. Renault pursues a number of major research initiatives to reduce these emissions.

To start with, Renault strives to minimize CO2 emissions from its gasoline and diesel engines. This problem is tackled from many different angles, including optimized fuel combustion, lightweight vehicle design, and reducing friction between moving parts. Improvements in all these areas help reduce fuel consumption, and thereby CO2 emissions.

Vehicle aerodynamics also has a bearing on fuel consumption. Recent developments in digital aerodynamic modelling provide engineers with valuable insights into the impact of design choices on fuel consumption.

Renault takes part in ambitious research programs on alternative energies capable of eventually taking over from classic petroleum fuels, either in the near future (for biomass fuels and battery-electric vehicles) or within a longer time-frame (for fuel cells to power electric vehicles).

The Renault range is already one of the best in the world for fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

For example, in 2005, 25% of all vehicles sold in Europe that emitted less than 120g/km CO2 were Renaults. This lead is planned to continue with the aim of selling a million cars a year with CO2 emmissions under 140 grams per kilometre by 2008, with a third of these emitting less than 120 grams.

Manufacturing

"The vehicle is manufactured in a plant that has been certified ISO 14001"
ISO 14001 certifies the progress made by an industrial site to reduce its water and energy consumption and the visual and audible disturbances, as well as the discharge of pollutants into the air and water.

Recyclability

To obtain the Renault eco² signature, at least 5% of the vehicle's plastic content has to be made of plastic recovered from end-of-life products.

This value represents the content of recovered plastic used in components stipulated by the ISO 14 021 standard.

This percentage varies from between 5% and 13% for Renault models 95% recoverable means that: 95% of its mass can be re-used ("a new life"): - 10% can provide energy (cement production, heating, etc.) - 85% for recovering matter, re-use. Renault eco2 vehicles are eco-designed so that they can be 95% recovered by weight during end-of-life processing.

Platinum Renault & The Environment

Although product innovations with regard to reducing environmental impact are the preserve of Renault themselves, Platinum Renault 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.