Motor dealer Charles Hurst pledges to go carbon neutral
Northern Ireland’s largest car dealer and after-sales service group Charles Hurst has marked 110 years in business with a pledge to make its estate carbon neutral.
The company, part of UK and Ireland motoring group Lookers, says it will invest in a range of initiatives to achieve net zero carbon emission status, including the roll-out of an extensive electric vehicle charging network powered by renewable energy.
It also plans to extend its programme of reducing internal energy use and raising recycling rates as part of an annual target commitment that will make all its sites greener and sustainable.
Operations director Jeff McCartney said: “Our industry has an important leadership role to play, not only because of the ambitious targets set out for the roll-out of electric vehicles to replace diesel and petrol, but because we have an opportunity to lead by example in our own businesses. We are committed to continuing our investment in this area.”
The firm operates across eight sites in Northern Ireland, including its headquarters at Belfast’s Boucher Road, and two in the Republic of Ireland, representing more than 20 of the world’s top global car manufacturers, including leading premium and luxury brands.
Acquisition
In 1996 Charles Hurst was bought by the Lookers Group, but retained its trading name after the acquisition.
In the last two decades, Charles Hurst has invested more than £27 million in its operations, including the creation of an £8 million luxury Jaguar Land Rover showroom and a £1 million Aston Martin dealership.
Earlier this year it announced an investment of £3.5m in a sustainability transformation of the business in a company fleet of fully electric and hybrid vehicles for employees, as well as an extensive charging infrastructure programme.
Mr McCartney said: “Like many organisations, we also recognise that our activities have an impact on the environment and so we are keen to promote and support initiatives that minimises our footprint through our own environmental policy.
“As we move to a new electrified future, we want to continue to lead from the front which is why we’re fully committed to making our entire estate carbon neutral.”
Lookers chief executive Mark Raban, said: “Charles Hurst continues to play a big part in Lookers’ success and I’m immensely proud of the contribution it makes through its dedicated teams of talented, friendly and hard-working staff who expertly serve our local customers every day.”
