Trees cover carbon footprint of Hyundai eco-run

Local info for Auckland, Hamilton, Taupo and New Plymouth

18 May 2007
Immediate release

Trees cover carbon footprint of Hyundai eco-run

Australian environmental guru Hans Tholstrup and a dozen driving experts are spreading vegetation as they travel through the North Island next week on the Hyundai eco-run.

The economy drivers will join an MP, City Mayors and others to plant trees in Manukau, Taupo, New Plymouth and back in Auckland as they complete legs of the three-day marathon.

Another block of trees will be planted afterwards in the Waikato, to offset the emissions of all eco-run vehicles and support cars, as well as the electricity used by the competitors and the waste they produce, even the transport used to get them to the event.

“We are covering the entire carbon footprint of the eco-run, as an example for motoring and the entire community,” said Hyundai Managing Director, Philip Eustace.

“All of the vehicles are running on Shell bio-fuels above the minimum government guidelines for their forthcoming introduction in New Zealand.

“The petrol vehicles will use a 10 percent blend of ethanol and the diesels a five percent blend of biodiesel.”

Organised by Hyundai to demonstrate the fuel efficiency of today’s diesel and petrol vehicles, the eco-run meets civic leaders in Manukau and Auckland, as well as in overnight stops at Taupo and New Plymouth, to plant or hand over the trees.

“This is exactly what all vehicle and transport organisations, and the whole of society, have to aim for,” commented Hans Tholstrup. “Sustainability is quite achievable with a little thought and effort.”

Danish-born Tholstrup is the foremost exponent of vehicle sustainability in this part of the world. Last year he received the International Energy Agency Personal Award for outstanding commitment to electric and hybrid vehicle developments.

He created the World Solar Challenge in Australia, was the first to exceed 2000 km on a tank (40 litres) in a standard production car, the first to drive from Brisbane to Melbourne on a tank and took the first SUV, a Hyundai Santa Fe from Adelaide to Sydney on a tank (75 litres).

The eco-run combines motoring writers and broadcasters with identities including Formula One author Eoin Young whose biography of Denny Hulme, Memories of the Bear, was published this month.

Public and media are invited to meet Tholstrup and the eco-runners:

Tuesday 22
9:00 am Official launch and tree planting – Sir Barry Curtis, Mayor of Manukau
City. Venue: TelstraClear Pacific centre, Manukau

12:00 noon Official lunch – Waikato Motor Group, 270 Te Rapa Road, Hamilton

6:00 pm Official function and tree planting – Councillor Christine McElwee, Wings and Wheels Hyundai, 67 Ruapehu Street, Taupo

Wednesday 23
6:00 pm Official reception and tree planting – Peter Tennent, Mayor of New Plymouth. Venue: Kevin Doody Hyundai, 145 Courtenay Street, New Plymouth

Thursday 24
3:00pm Official function, reception and tree planting – Mr. Allan Peachey, MP for Tamaki. Venue: Winger Hyundai, 279 Great South Road, Greenlane, Auckland

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