Energy use in commercial and residential buildings accounts for one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. This is the first ENERGY STAR certification offered to car dealerships
Seven Honda and Acura dealerships have earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) first ENERGY STAR certification for vehicle dealerships, recognising them as among the most energy-efficient dealerships in the country.
With support from the Honda and Acura Environmental Leadership Programs, the auto industry’s first programs focused on reducing the environmental impact of dealerships, these dealers continuously look for ways to reduce energy consumption year over year, in line with Honda’s own global goal of carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050.
“Reducing energy use in commercial buildings is an essential part of the transition to a clean energy economy,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I congratulate these businesses for demonstrating the power of energy efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-effective way at auto dealerships across the country.”
- 7 of the first 8 ENERGY STAR certified dealerships represent Honda and Acura brands, Toyota secured the other place
- Environmental Leadership Programs established by Honda and Acura are leading the auto industry toward more environmentally responsible dealer operations
- Honda and Acura “green dealers” nationwide have collectively reduced over 275,000 metric tons in CO2 emissions, while saving more than $50 million in energy costs
- Honda has shared its Green Dealer Guide online to enable dealers of any brand to use the step-by-step resource to reduce their energy and water consumption
Vehicle dealerships that earn the prestigious ENERGY STAR certification use significantly less energy and contribute fewer greenhouse gas emissions than typical facilities. Of the eight ENERGY STAR certified dealerships to receive this designation, seven were Honda and Acura dealerships:
- Acura of Sherman Oaks, Sherman Oaks, California
- Brandfon Honda, Branford, Connecticut
- Coggin Honda Orlando, Orlando, Florida
- DCH Tustin Acura, Tustin, California
- Island Honda, Kahului, Hawaii
- Marin Acura, Corte Madera, California
- Thayer Honda, Bowling Green, Ohio
- The eighth is Ventura Toyota, Ventura, California
To earn the ENERGY STAR, these vehicle dealerships demonstrated that they are more energy efficient than at least 75% of other dealerships across the country. Using EPA’s online ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool, they benchmarked their energy efficiency based on 12 months of utility bills. The resulting 1–100 ENERGY STAR score, adjusted for weather and business activity, gives insight into a dealership’s energy performance.
A score of 50 indicates median energy performance. A score of 75 indicates performance better than 75% of similar dealerships nationwide, making that dealership eligible for ENERGY STAR certification. To develop the 1–100 ENERGY STAR score for vehicle dealerships, EPA relied on 2019 data from an industry survey conducted by the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Energy use in commercial and residential buildings accounts for one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. A recent EPA report estimates these same buildings have the potential to cut their emissions by up to 63% by 2030 through a combination of energy efficiency, electrification, and clean energy, enabled by the Inflation Reduction Act.
ENERGY STAR certified buildings use an average of 35% less energy and are responsible for 35% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than typical buildings. To date, nearly 43,000 buildings and plants have earned the ENERGY STAR.
About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organisations rely on their partnership with EPA to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs and achieve more than 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.
“Honda has been working with our dealer partners for over a decade to support them in reducing energy and water consumption, and we applaud our Honda and Acura dealers for earning the first ENERGY STAR certifications for dealerships,” said Mamadou Diallo, senior vice president of Auto Sales at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “These Honda and Acura green dealers have set the standard for others to follow in establishing environmentally responsible dealership operations.”
According to the EPA, energy use in commercial and residential buildings accounts for one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. To earn the ENERGY STAR certification, the seven Honda and Acura dealerships demonstrated that they are more energy efficient than at least 75% of similar dealerships across the country. Using EPA’s online ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® tool, they assessed their energy performance based on 12 months of utility bills. The resulting 1-100 ENERGY STAR score, adjusted for weather and business activity, provided insight into a dealership’s energy performance. All seven Honda and Acura dealerships received scores of 75 and higher, making them eligible for the ENERGY STAR certification.
“To stem climate change, it’s critical that every sector of the economy demonstrates leadership in reducing emissions,” said Cindy Jacobs, Chief of EPA’s ENERGY STAR Commercial and Industrial Branch. “On average, ENERGY STAR certified buildings, such as these Honda and Acura dealerships, use 35% less energy and contribute 35% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than their peers. We congratulate these dealerships for showing others that emissions reductions are possible through cost-effective energy efficiency.”
Honda and Acura Green Dealers Reduce CO2 Emissions and Cut Costs
In 2011, Honda was the first automaker to develop a robust program that supports Honda and Acura automobile, powersports and power equipment dealers in measurably reducing their environmental impact year over year. To date, more than 600 Honda and Acura automobile, powersports and power equipment dealers across the U.S. have collectively reduced CO2 emissions by more than 275,000 metric tons. That reduction is equal to eliminating the annual CO2 emissions associated with electricity use by over 53,000 homes.
The voluntary Honda and Acura Environmental Leadership Programs are often referred to as the “Green Dealer” Program and demonstrate Honda’s comprehensive approach to environmentally responsible operations that extends beyond its fuel-efficient vehicles and energy-efficient manufacturing operations. The program is structured as a yearly assessment to optimize existing and new facilities in the areas of energy performance, water efficiency and site practices. Participating dealers receive support with data collection, expert advice, implementation and results verification. Since the program’s launch, the average dealership has reduced energy use by 20%, saving an average of $20,000 per year and $50 million in energy costs over the last 11 years.
In 2014, Honda publicly released its Green Dealer Guide online, offering dealers of any brand a step-by-step resource to reduce their energy and water consumption, while cutting overhead costs. Although it was created with dealerships in mind, any business owner can use the comprehensive guide to improve the environmental performance of their operations. Dealers and businesses also can use the Green Dealer Savings Calculator to add up potential savings based on energy efficient upgrades.
About Honda’s Commitment to the Environment
Honda is working toward its global goal of zero environmental impact by 2050 through its “Triple Action to Zero” approach, including achieving carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities, 100% utilization of renewable energy, and resource circulation, utilizing 100% sustainable materials by reprocessing products back to raw materials and reusing those materials in the creation of new products. Toward this goal, Honda will strive to make battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles represent 100% of auto sales in the U.S. and globally by 2040.
To reduce the environmental impact of its business operations, Honda also is offsetting CO2 emissions from its North American manufacturing operations through long-term virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) for renewable wind and solar power that seek to cover more than 60% of the electricity Honda uses in North America. Honda also promotes environmentally responsible business practices with its suppliers and retail dealer partners across North America.
More information about the Honda and Acura Environmental Leadership Programs, here
