Toyota dealers around New Zealand have been saving power and money as part of environmental projects they have undertaken to meet Enviro-Mark Gold certification, saving more than $125,000 in the process.
Since 2008, all 64 Toyota dealers from Whangarei through to Invercargill have been part of a nationwide drive to improve resource efficiency and save on business costs.
There has been a combined nationwide saving of 11.7 percent, with consumption dropping by 795,000 kWh.
Although Toyota sales have risen by 26 percent since 2010, the increase in dealership business activity has not hindered power saving initiatives.
If the dealer network was still consuming power at 2008 levels it would be costing $127,266 more than what was paid last year, based on an average commercial electricity cost of 16 cents per kWh.
“The financial savings that accompany environmental projects is a bonus for our dealers, and should encourage other businesses to see how they can save money from improving their efficiency,” said Alistair Davis, Toyota New Zealand’s Managing Director, who is also the chairman of the Sustainable Business Council.