Press Releases
04 November 2009
Volkswagen Credit's Move to Paperless Invoice Statements Generates Donations for the Volkswagen Carbon Neutral Project
20,000 Credit Customers Making the Switch Will Generate Offsets Equivalent to the CO2 Emissions from 220,000 Gallons of Gasoline
Herndon, Va. — Volkswagen Credit, Inc. (VCI) today announced the launch of their eco-friendly "Drive Paperless" program. For each paperless statement enrollment, VCI is contributing $1.00 to the Volkswagen Carbon Neutral Project. This initiative will help Volkswagen Group owners take action toward offsetting carbon emissions. The contributions to the Carbon Neutral Project will be put toward the reforestation of the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley in northeast Louisiana, also known as the VW Forest.
"The VW Forest is the largest carbon offset project in the United States by any vehicle manufacturer. We are proud to contribute to such a worthy cause," said VCI President Kevin Kelly. "Through this and related efforts, more than 1,100 acres of land are being reforested."
The program runs through November 30, 2009. Customers currently financing their vehicles through Volkswagen Credit are invited to find out more about the initiative by going to drivepaperless.com.
The VCI-sponsored "Drive Paperless" initiative is part of a larger corporate commitment by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. to the Volkswagen Carbon Neutral Project. The program is administered in conjunction with VW's partner Carbonfund.org, a leader in the fight against global warming.
Carbonfund.org President Eric Carlson said, "We're proud to work with Volkswagen Credit on its 'Drive Paperless' program, which supports the great work that Volkswagen has done with the Carbon Neutral Project. Since 2007 when our organization launched the project with Volkswagen, the VW community has expressed a commitment to addressing climate change, and we look forward to helping make this program a success."
Specific outcomes of the "Drive Paperless" program, which are provided by Carbonfund.org, are measurable and impressive. If 20,000 Volkswagen Credit customers switch to paperless statements the offsets are equivalent of the CO2 emissions from 220,000 gallons of gasoline or more than 80,000 propane cylinders.
"By offering the 'Drive Paperless' program and contributing $1.00 for each new paperless statement registration, VCI and our customers are active participants in transitioning to a clean energy future," Kelly said.
"Making sensible energy reductions, combined with cost-effective carbon offsets, is a sound way of moving toward a zero carbon world," added Kelly. "Volkswagen Credit customers who participate in the 'Drive Paperless' initiative can take pride in helping restore a unique ecosystem and protect important wildlife habitat."
About VW Credit, Inc.
VW Credit, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWGoA), was founded in 1981 as the financial service arm of VWGoA and is affiliated with Audi of America, LLC and Bentley Motors, Inc. VCI, a captive finance company, services Volkswagen, Audi and Bentley customers, authorized automotive dealers and their affiliated stores as Volkswagen Credit, Audi Financial Services and Bentley Financial Services.
About Carbonfund.org
Carbonfund.org is the leading nonprofit carbon offset and climate solutions organization, making it easy and affordable for individuals, businesses and organizations to reduce and offset their climate impact. Carbon offsets enable individuals and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint by supporting third-party validated renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects. Carbonfund.org has over 450,000 individual supporters and works with over 1,200 business and nonprofit partners. Visit www.carbonfund.org.
