Sustainability – putting words into action

As the UK’s only Erwin Hymer Group franchise, we are proud to see how committed it is to improving sustainability.

The Fiscal 2022 Sustainability Report from Thor Industries Inc, of which Erwin Hymer Group (EHG)  is the European division, reveals that EHG became the first-ever business to achieve net-neutral RV manufacturing – and achieving its 2050 reduction target a stunning 28 years early.

The report says during fiscal years 2019 to 2021, EHG more than halved its CO₂ emissions and since 2021 has been producing CO₂ neutrally at all production sites.

Its next step is to invest in the expansion of renewable energies, in energy-efficient systems and in energy generation from the sun and biomass, which will total more than six million Euros between fiscal years 2022 and 2023.

Jan Francke, COO of the Erwin Hymer Group, said: “We have a clear plan to get to 20% of the CO₂ level of 2019 by 2030.”

By using wood waste for fuel in its biomass plants, EHG reduced greenhouse gas emissions for heating production buildings by about 30% a year, while switching to green electricity, it has already reduced 60% of CO₂ emissions. The installation of PV solar panels will reduce emissions even further.

The report says:

“In Fiscal Year 2022, we consumed 41,726 MWh as clean electricity at our production sites in Europe and purchased 9,500 metric tons CO_2e in carbon certificates from myclimate and KlimAktiv. EHG continues to build on this environmental leadership with their expansion of renewable energies, in energy-efficient systems and in energy generation from the sun and biomass. Planned expansion of biomass plants in Fiscal Year 2023 is projected to save approximately 3,000 tons of fossil CO₂ per year.”

It adds:

“By aggressively pursuing a strategy of ‘avoid – reduce – compensate’, EHG has avoided adding additional emissions to their RV manufacturing operations, reduced emissions generated in necessary processes and compensated for the unavoidable emissions through purchases of carbon offsets. Due to these efforts, in Fiscal Year 2022, EHG’s absolute market-based emissions for RV manufacturing were zero MT CO_2e.”

Ross Edwards, Managing Director of Travelworld, said: “This is an incredible achievement and something to celebrate as we all try to do our bit to reduce our impact on the planet. We’ve been the Erwin Hymer Group franchisee for 10 years and are proud to have such strong links with a forward-thinking and innovative business.

“Not only does the group specialise in the best motorhomes in the world, it is truly committed to safeguarding the planet.”