Lamborghini just became the first automotive company in Italy to obtain the coveted CO2-neutral certification from DNV GL.
The Sant’Agata-based automaker set out to become CO2-neutral a couple of years ago, and it has finally achieved its goal by completing several key projects, which include opening an innovative tri-generation plant and inaugurating a district heating system.
A partial bird's eye view of the Lamborghini heating plant. (Lamborghini)
The Lamborghini heating plant. (Lamborghini)
The plant is very close to the Sant’Agata Bolognese factory. The heating plant uses natural gas to produce electricity, heating and cooling. The plant is capable of generating approximately 9,800 MWh annually, which will equate to the amount of energy used annually by the households in the town of Sant’Agata. The plant will allow the Italian carmaker to save approximately 820 tons of CO2 each year.
The plant uses natural gases to fuel the electricity, heating and cooling. (Lamborghini)
The company aims to have the plant fuelled by Biogas by 2017, which will help Lamborghini reduce their CO2 emissions by up to 5,600 tonnes annually. The Raging Bull is building the infrastructure to power the plant with Biogas.
The plant’s district heating system relies on an extensive network of underground pipes to draw hot water from a Biogas co-generation plant that’s about four miles away from the headquarters. This system makes Lamborghini more eco-friendly as it greatly reduces the electricity consumption, but also makes the Biogas plant greener.
Lamborghini is also saving energy by installing solar panels on top of its factory and by building more eco-friendly building with LED lighting and shades to keep the temperature in check. Moreover, the company is funding projects such as a new network of bike lanes in the region and by joining forces with three European universities on an oak forest research project. According to Digital Trends, the large-scale experiment aims to observe the relationship between plants and their density, environment and CO2.
As it prepares to laugh the production version of the Urus concept, Lamborghini is set to significantly expand its operations over the next few years, bringing on board about 500 new employees and doubling the size of its factory.
Gian Luca Galletti, Minister of Environment, Land and Sea and Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. (Lamborghini)
Stephan Winkelmann, Automobili Lamborghinin President and CEO, said: “Sustainability is one of our company objectives and we subscribe to a strong undertaking of environmental responsibility towards our stakeholders and the area where the company operates. The new plant and the certification we have earned today are part of our sustainable growth program. Our goal is to keep the plant CO2-neutral, even after the expansion that will take place in the upcoming years with the introduction of the third Lamborghini model.”