VSCC Carbon Emissions Calculators
As a service to Members, the Club has
developed two calculators that give an estimation of CO2 emissions and the cost
of their recovery. These are for guidance and information purposes only. They
are not to be treated as quotes. The first calculator is downloadable as a table
of On Road Emissions. This is derived from
the original events emissions calculator developed to recover VSCC competition
emissions. It provides the estimated costs of recovering the on-road emissions
of cars, according to average touring mpg and annual mileages covered. These
can be recovered simply, by visiting http://trees.fbhvc.co.uk
The second calculator is downloadable as a
table of Car Build Emissions. This estimates the emissions created that
are inherent in the car itself, and from this the costs of recovering them, by
using the published weight of the vehicle from e.g. The Motor tests of
the cars in period. Of course, these
weights often included two people and, in any case, our cars are not entirely
made of metal: There is often a fair bit of wood in our old cars, however the
actual weight of wood makes up such as small proportion of the vehicle’s
overall weight, and because its use is roughly 13 times ‘greener’ than using
metal (source: clear.eco), it is not worth the extra complexity of taking this
into account. For example, we have calculated that it makes less than a 2%
difference in the case of a Bentley 3 litre, or about 5% in the case of a Riley
saloon. Furthermore, using the published weight serves as a sensible proxy for
the total metal in the car, because the cars will have had parts added to them
in repairs over their lifetime. It also recognises that servicing the cars also
causes emissions; a separate service emissions calculated is under development.
In any case, it is always best to attempt to over-estimate the emissions than
underestimate them.
The Car Build Emissions calculator
takes as its base figure the tonnes of CO2 emitted for one tonne of metal manufactured,
published by clear.eco: https://clear.eco/carbon-offset-raw-materials-manufacturing/.
We have relied on clear.eco’s data, and also recommend them for Members who may
have other offsetting requirements. They are very highly regarded in the
offsetting industry for the accuracy of their information and for the service
they provide as a QAS-certified and B.Corp accredited business. Their clients
include the English Football Association, Virgin Orbit and Octopus Energy. The
calculator takes into account a 25% swarf loss in the machining of parts from
base metal. It provides a simple 1:1 recovery cost, that is 1 tonne of CO2
recovered for 1 tonne emitted. It also provides the more complete 4:1 recovery
cost. That is, balanced for both accredited long-term capture through tree
planting and peatland restoration, as well as accredited immediate
international offsetting, amounting to 4 tonnes recovered for every 1 tonne
emitted.
The Car Build Emissions table lists some
of the cars in the Club from the Library’s digitised collection of road tests,
as well as some exotica for interest. This is an ongoing project and there are
some notable omissions at present; more cars will be added in due course. Different
ways of presenting car weight were used in period. Unless stated otherwise, the
weight is usually from the road test figure in – or best rounded to – hundredweight.
We would be most grateful if Members would like to add other cars to the table
and/or suggest corrections. Please do contact us via library@vscc.co.uk with the subject header
Car Calculator Suggestion and include the car, the year, the weight and the
source of the information.
Even if not listed, it will be very easy
for Members to use the table’s methods and constants to work out the carbon
footprint and cost of recovery of their own cars. The same is true of parts by
their weight; an example is given for interest. If we consider the estimated
one-off cost of recovering the car-build emissions as a percentage of the value
of the cars, it does not seem too great. For example, at current prices, to
recover the carbon footprint of a 1925 Bentley 3 litre Speed at 1:1 would cost
less than £185, and at 4:1 less
than £740.
The Club has taken responsibility for the
up-front recovery of emissions from the events we run for the three years
2022-2024 inclusive. Alongside this, the Club is also committed to trialling non-fossil
fuels in 2023 and beyond. Nonetheless, we hope this new information will
encourage Members to consider taking the next steps beyond events emissions, to
recover On Road Emissions and Car Build Emissions of their cars.
We recognise that taking responsibility for build emissions means the current
owner paying in effect a sum that represents (something close to) the total
carbon footprint of the car, that might more fairly be spread across all the
years of the car’s existence – past and future. Nonetheless, they are important
statements, and some quarters may even say necessary reparations. In whichever
way they are viewed, however, it remains the case that the more we can sensibly
and reasonably (with the support of appropriate data) contribute towards the UK
becoming net zero by 2050, the better for everyone.
Both the On Road Emissions table and
the Car Build Emissions table are provided for guidance only; again, they
are not intended to serve as quotations. Members wishing to offset their
on-road emissions only can always do so by visiting http://trees.fbhvc.co.uk. Those wishing to
recover car build emissions can email library@vscc.co.uk
with the subject header Carbon Footprint Recovery. Please include the following
information – name, VSCC member number, car make and model, year and weight (if
known), desired recovery ratio (e.g. 1:1 or 4:1, etc.) and – if wishing to
offset on-road emissions as well – annual mileage and average mpg. This will
then be checked and forwarded to Tree-V, who run the FBHVC scheme. They will
then reply directly to the Member concerned with a quote. If Members provide chassis and engine numbers, Tree-V will provide Members with a certificate that the car's carbon footprint has been fully recovered, to remain with the car in perpetuity.
For all other Carbon Emissions Initiative inquiries
please email library@vscc.co.uk
with the subject header Carbon Emissions Initiative.
