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The motor industry is going green. In all areas of life, we have a moral obligation to reuse, recycle, upcycle and to look after what we have in order to reduce waste and mitigate the environmental impact of manufacturing new single-use products. The motor industry is no different, and is already working hard to cut its carbon footprint.
In 2022 data from the SMMT revealed that the UK automotive industry’s production carbon footprint fell by 11.2% in 2021 compared with the previous year, reaching its lowest level since records began in 1999. Significantly contributing to this reduction is the recovery of usable car parts from end-of-life vehicles, for use as ‘green’ parts in service, maintenance and repair (SMR).
When a car reaches the end of its life, it usually still contains a multitude of perfectly safe and useable parts. Taking out such components and giving them a second life as green parts in other vehicles helps reduce the automotive industry’s production carbon footprint. In recent research among car owners, Intelligent Motoring found that four in five would take advantage of recycled or reconditioned replacement parts, but only 13% had been given the choice of green parts for a service or repair. It appears there is a missed opportunity.
Utilising the growing pool of green parts can also help repairers to navigate the ongoing supply chain challenges. Waiting times for new car parts have improved over the last few months, but are still far too long – especially as unnecessary delays leave vehicles on the ramp for longer, costing both the customer and SMR provider valuable cash. Far from ideal at any time, but even worse in a cost-of-living crisis. OEM green parts cost as much as 70% less than the brand-new equivalent.
As an industry we are already making great strides in ensuring the industry takes the most sustainable path going forward. Let’s continue that trajectory and make sure everyone is playing their part in a greener motoring future.
Duncan McClure Fisher, CEO of Intelligent Motoring