Ford and Terrapass launch customer carbon offset program

Santa Monica, CA— Ford Motor Company and TerraPass announced “Greener Miles™, an automotive industry first that offers Ford vehicle owners the opportunity to offset the climate impact of their driving through the support of projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Through Greener Miles, drivers can calculate the amount of CO2 emissions they generate in one year of driving by visiting www.terrapass.com/ford. Customers then have the opportunity to purchase an offset that supports the production of renewable clean energy from wind or dairy farm methane. This pilot program gives customers a simple way to be voluntary, active participants in addressing the challenges of climate change.

As part of his remarks on innovation last September, Ford chairman and chief executive officer, William Clay Ford, Jr. pledged a two-pronged approach to take on the challenge of offsetting carbon dioxide emissions. First, Ford committed to its own corporate action. A pilot program is underway to offset the greenhouse gasses emitted in the manufacture of hybrid electric vehicles with investments in projects, such as renewable clean energy production that reduce emissions elsewhere.

The second part of the commitment is to engage individual customers on carbon offset efforts with the launch by Ford and TerraPass launch of the Greener Miles program. The Ford-customized offset program invites vehicle owners to visit www.terrapass.com/ford, where an annual enrollment fee buys them a TerraPass based on the type of vehicle they drive and their annual vehicle mileage.

Ranging from $29.95 to $79.95, depending on the type of vehicle and miles traveled, purchases of Greener Miles TerraPasses contribute to investments in United States-based renewable clean energy projects such as wind power energy or making power from dairy farm manure. All of the carbon offset purchases are third party verified by the Center for Resource Solutions, one of the country’s leading authorities on renewable and clean energy issues. Customers receive a vehicle decal as a visual symbol of their participation in the Greener Miles program.

In addition to the Greener Miles offset program, Ford will launch an Eco-driving online training program through Ford’s public website www.ford.com in early May. By logging on, consumers will be able to find tips for operating and maintaining their vehicles in the most fuel efficient ways possible. Eco-driving will show individuals how to conserve fuel, save money at the pump and reduce their driving emissions.