Commitment to the environment
At Autocars Jacquet, the environment is at the heart of our concerns. Based in the Arve Valley, at the foot of some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the Alps, we are committed to preserving the exceptional natural environment that surrounds us. That’s why, for several years now, we have been implementing measures to limit our environmental impact.
Autocars Jacquet takes action for the planet
Signature of the co2 charter with ADEME (Ecological Transition Agency)
To give concrete expression to its commitment to the environment, Autocars Jacquet has joined the French EVE programme ("Voluntary Environmental Commitment Programme") and more specifically its Objective C0² scheme, which is specific to transport. The aim of this programme is to help our company reduce its environmental and energy impact.
Over a period of 3 years, we are committed to significantly reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by following an action plan based on 4 areas of progress:
- Vehicles, with optimised fleet and tyre management. We also favour brands with production lines in France.
- Fuel, by reducing oil consumption and developing the use of alternative fuels.
- Drivers, with the introduction of an eco–driving programme.
- Organisation and management, with improved management of the business environment.
Biogas
From the end of 2021, all the coaches on our regular routes will run on biogas.
Biogas is a natural gas, most often produced by the fermentation of organic matter, and has a number of advantages:
- It is a clean gas, emitting no fumes, unpleasant odours or fine particles.
- It reduces noise pollution by 50%.
- It is around 30% more economical than diesel–type fuel.
- Its use reduces CO² emissions by almost 95%.
- It is a non-polluting gas, transported and distributed through a network of pipelines.
To be autonomous and facilitate the daily use of this biofuel, we have created our own biogas station at our headquarters, in Marnaz.
Vegetable Oil (HVO)
While our regular routes run on biogas, our school transport vehicles mainly run on HVO. HVO is a hydrotreated vegetable oil made from sustainable vegetable oils or reprocessed waste (animal fats, cooking oils, waste oils, etc.).
For the same amount of diesel burnt, vegetable oil reduces CO² emissions by 65% and fine particle emissions by 85%. Another undeniable advantage of HVO is its very low nitrogen oxide emissions, in contrast to the large quantities emitted by the combustion of fossil fuels.
Electrics
We currently have two electric vehicles: a minibus (19 seats) and a van (8 seats). The main advantage of electric vehicles is that they emit no greenhouse gases when on the road.
The carbon footprint of an electric vehicle is not always zero. This depends largely on the way the vehicle is manufactured, how it is recycled and how the electricity used to power it is generated. But whatever the case, its impact will always be less than that of an equivalent combustion vehicle. Electric engines also make it possible to significantly reduce noise pollution, thanks to much quieter vehicles.
Other actions
In addition to the energy source of our vehicles, we are taking a number of steps to limit our impact on the environment:
- A choice of recent vehicles meeting Euro 6 anti-pollution standards
- Collecting, sorting and recycling of waste from our workshops and offices by dedicated companies.
- The installation of a private washing area equipped with rainwater harvesting, filtering and contaminated water retention system.