While EV Rider enthusiastically supports the rollout of zero-emission vehicles, it’s also worth looking at ways to offset the carbon emissions that classic cars create.
But the question becomes: how can classic car owners simultaneously be good stewards of the environment without destroying the value or character of a classic with mechanical modifications?
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Classic car insurance company Hagerty has come up with an answer it’s calling the Enthusiast Carbon Offset Program (ECO).
The voluntary opt-in program lets Hagerty’s customers monitor their CO2 emissions by entering their vehicle’s type and the mileage they want to offset into a web-based emissions calculator, powered by Chrome Carbon.
You might be surprised to learn how affordable offsetting a classic gasoline car’s CO2 emissions can be.
“The carbon offset costs are fairly moderate, actually. You’re looking at – for an average enthusiast – about $30 a year to offset your total carbon emissions,” said Hagerty spokesman Jeremy Malcolm.
Planting trees is a proven way to take CO2 out of the atmosphere, according to scientists, which is where Chrome Carbon comes in.
Chrome Carbon partners with certified climate bodies and organizations to fund reforestation and carbon reduction projects with what Hagerty says are real, measurable gains.
The trees are planted in the U.S., Canada or the U.K.
Classic car owners can choose how much of a CO2 offset they want to purchase.
“We believe the love of driving and the love of our planet can and must co-exist,” said Hagerty CEO McKeel Hagerty. “As part of our long-term environmental strategy, we are committed to helping automotive enthusiasts responsibly make a difference with simple and affordable steps such as this program.”
Worldwide, approximately 72 percent of people believe that protecting and restoring natural habitats would be a helpful solution in addressing climate change, according to an Edelman Trust Barometer 2022 special report on climate change.
Chrome Carbon partners with organizations working closely with national forest agencies, local forest experts and farmers, making sure that the right trees are planted and looked after. according to a news release from Hagerty.
“If you’re environmentally conscious and you have a classic car, this is a great way to enjoy it without worrying about any impact that you might have on the environment,” said Malcolm.
It’s a relatively eco-friendly way to keep classic cars running for decades to come while at the same time protecting the environment for future generations.
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