Kingspan embarks on transition to electric vehicle fleet
Kingspan is transitioning its entire company fleet to electric vehicles, targeting to only acquire zero emissions cars by 2025. The company has recently taken delivery of three Teslas, taking its global EV fleet to 69.
The company is also installing a new six-bay electric vehicle charging station at its recently opened IKON global innovation centre in Kingscourt, Cavan, which will help to ensure that each car’s charge can be derived from 100 per cent renewable energy.
The EVs will replace older petrol and diesel models, and will be used by the company for visits to clients, contractors, architects, and sites.
Pictured [L-R] Kingspan employees: Kevin O’Grady, Emmet Carolan, Ciara Maddock, Kevin McCarthy and John Neary
Specific commitments the company says it strives to reach by 2030 as part of its Planet Passionate Programme include powering 60 per cent of all Kingspan operations directly from renewable energy while generating the equivalent of 20 per cent of its energy demand on manufacturing sites.
It also aims to achieve net zero carbon manufacturing and a 50 per cent reduction in product C02 intensity from primary supply partners.
Kingspan adds it hopes to achieve upcycling of one billion PET bottles per annum into insulation products plus zero company waste to landfill across all sites. The firm says it also wants to harvest 100 million litres of its water usage from rainwater.
Bianca Wong, global head of sustainability at Kingspan, commented: “As a company, we have committed to reduce significantly our carbon footprint across our value chain by 2030. The acquisition of these state-of-the-art vehicles and installation of the charging station supports our broader Planet Passionate vision and our target to acquire only zero emission company cars by 2025.
“By leveraging the latest in innovation in the motor industry and striving to be Planet Passionate in everything we do, we are confident we can achieve the goals we have set our business.”
Marci Bonham, MD of Kingspan Insulated Panels in Ireland and Kingspan Energy, added: “Implementing our mission to reduce our impact on the planet is progressing rapidly. This latest delivery brings the total number of electric vehicles in our global fleet to 69, and our Irish teams are pleased to be among the first in the company to make this move to zero emissions cars.
“There is a strong commitment by Kingspan to incorporate carbon reductions into all areas of the business. This is one more step towards our net zero targets.”