Commercial, Energy Efficiency, Commercial, Solar  -  August 28, 2017

Honda expands energy efficiency guidance program

^{Photo of Brandfon Honda in Branford, Conn., which has earned the distinction of being electric grid neutral and is a Platinum award recipient in Honda's Green Dealer Program, provided by Honda.} 

Following on early successes, Honda has announced a new phase of its Green Dealer Program, which has already saved the company $7.5 million in energy costs since its launch in 2012. 

Aimed at providing U.S. Honda and Acura dealers with tools to evaluate and measurably reduce energy and water use, the initiative builds on the automaker's commitment to minimizing the environmental impact of its products in every phase of their life cycle, according to an Aug. 24 news release. The expansion of the program includes a refreshed website with cumulative CO2 reduction data, an updated Green Dealer Guide and new benchmark metrics for evaluation and in addition to existing support for data collection, environmental assessment, expert advice, implementation and results verification. 

"On an annual basis, the Honda Green Dealer Program is helping to reduce dealership CO2 emissions by approximately 19,000 metric tons," said Steve Center, vice president, connected and environmental business development for American Honda Motor Co. Inc. "As our dealers have demonstrated, reducing energy and water use are achievable goals that can save money, address climate change, and inspire others to make a difference for the future of our planet."

The program awards participating dealers at three levels of achievement based on an independent evaluation of dealership performance in the areas of energy and water efficiency, waste reduction, site attributes and other sustainable best practices. More than 150 Honda dealers across all product lines, including automobile, powersports and power equipment, have received the Honda Environmental Leadership Award, collectively reducing CO2 emissions by more than 34,000 metric tons.

Additionally, Honda said three of its platinum award recipients, Brandfon Honda in Branford, Conn., Eastern Equipment in Derry, N.H. and Rossi Honda in Vineland, N.J., have also earned the distinction of being electric grid neutral. The dealers produce as much or more energy from renewable energy sources than they consume from their local electric utilities over a one-year measurement period. 

The company notes that while its Green Dealer Guide was developed with Honda and Acura dealers in mind, it can be used by any business owner interested in lowering energy costs and reducing environmental impact. It is available as a free, open-source download at greendealer.honda.com. Going forward, Honda said it plans to update the guide periodically as new green building technologies and guidelines develop, and as the Green Dealer program evolves and grows. 

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