Electrified vehicle scheme set to plant 500,000+ trees

Arval’s first international biodiversity scheme is set to plant 500,000 trees globally by 2025, with one tree planted for each leased electrified vehicle delivered. In the UK, more than 10,000 trees could be planted within the first two years, and working with experts Reforest’Action, the sustainable mobility specialist has already secured its first British site at Great Ayton in North Yorkshire, with more locations expected to follow.

The scheme has simultaneously launched in seven other countries which order the largest volume of plugin hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs). It delivers against the company’s ambitions within its strategic plan, Arval Beyond, where by 2025 it expects a quarter of its worldwide fleet will be electrified and a 30% reduction in CO₂ emissions will be made vs. 2020.

Arval UK Managing Director, Lakshmi Moorthy, said: “This global initiative translates perfectly to the UK, where we have established a strong appetite for electrified vehicles. In adopting the  ‘1 Electrified Vehicle for 1 Tree’ initiative, we’ve put corporate social responsibility (CSR) at the very core of our business. We’d encourage each employee and customer to join us on the journey, switching to electrified and zero-emission vehicles.

“The climate emergency continues to be of great importance and, as a market leader in the field of sustainable mobility, Arval is in the right position to drive a positive revolution and actively participate in tackling climate change.”

Electrified vehicles already delivered in 2021 will support tree planting during the British season, which begins in the autumn of the same year and can run to the following March.

Stéphane Hallaire, President and Founder of Reforest’Action said: “Working with Arval UK on this project will see more than 10,000 native trees planted including oak, silver birch and rowan, to help restore 45 hectares of North Yorks moorland following storm damage.

“The trees have been selected to match the soil in the area with a sustainable management plan in place. As they mature, biodiversity will be increased helping to prevent erosion and providing a shelter for wildlife in a location which is popular with walkers and local residents alike.”

Following its launch in the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain, it’s expected that more than 70,000 trees could be planted by the end of 2021. By 2022, it’s expected that the project will be expanded to the rest of the 30 countries in which Arval operates.

Reforest’Action is in charge of overseeing and planting the trees in all Arval countries with local operators in place. The forest specialist is a B Corp-certified company dedicated to preserving, restoring and creating forests around the world in response to the climate emergency and biodiversity loss.

For more information visit www.arval.co.uk/about-arval/sustainability and reforestaction.com/en/arval-bnp-paribas