Carbon Footprint Policy

Our position in short

Our vehicles produce no exhaust emissions at the point of use. That is the clearest carbon benefit we offer, and it is the reason most of our customers come to us. But a vehicle's footprint is not only what comes out of the tailpipe: emissions also arise in manufacturing, in shipping, in the electricity used to charge it, and at end of life. This policy addresses the whole picture, not just the easy part.

Scope of this policy

This policy covers the carbon impact of the vehicles we supply, the operations we control, and the supply chain we buy from. It applies to everyone working for or on behalf of the company.

The vehicles we supply

Every vehicle we supply is fully electric and produces no exhaust emissions in use, cutting local air pollution and noise where people live, work and visit. Replacing a petrol or diesel buggy, people-mover or utility vehicle with an electric one is the single largest carbon contribution we make.

The carbon intensity of an electric vehicle in use depends on the electricity used to charge it. As the UK grid continues to decarbonise, the in-use footprint of every vehicle we have supplied falls with it — which is not true of a petrol or diesel equivalent.

Longevity as carbon reduction

The most sustainable vehicle is one that lasts. A significant share of any vehicle's lifetime carbon is embodied in its manufacture, so a vehicle replaced early wastes that carbon. We build to a premium standard and support every vehicle with UK-wide servicing, genuine parts and repairs, so it stays in service for years. Keeping vehicles running is a carbon measure, not just an aftersales one.

Batteries

Batteries carry the largest embodied carbon of any component we supply. We specify battery options matched to each customer's real-world use, so packs are neither oversized nor worked beyond their design life — both of which waste carbon. We handle batteries responsibly and support their recycling and safe disposal at end of life in line with the applicable regulations.

Our supply chain

Our vehicles are assembled, configured and finished in the United Kingdom, with vehicles, components and parts sourced from established overseas manufacturing partners. We recognise that manufacturing and international shipping are where most of the carbon in our supply chain sits, and that this is the part of our footprint we influence rather than directly control. We consolidate shipments where we can, and we prefer long-term relationships with partners who share our commitment to quality and longevity.

Our own operations

We work to reduce the carbon impact of the activities we do control — energy use, business travel, deliveries, packaging and waste — and to keep improving as we grow. Where we deliver and install vehicles ourselves, we plan routes to reduce unnecessary mileage.

Our current position, stated plainly

We have not yet completed a full measurement of our carbon footprint across all three emissions scopes, and we are not going to imply otherwise. Until we have, we do not describe ourselves as carbon neutral or net zero, we do not claim to offset our emissions, and we do not publish a headline reduction figure or target date.

We would rather publish a short, accurate policy than a long one that overstates our position. We are working towards a measured baseline, and we will update this policy — with figures and a target — once we have one we can stand behind.

Review and contact

This policy is reviewed at least annually and updated as our practices and measurement develop. If you have a question about our carbon footprint, or you need environmental information to support a tender or procurement process, please contact us at support@hawkeev.com.