Australias First Climate Positive Car Service, greentomatocars

Australia?s First Climate Positive Car Service, greentomatocars

Sydney is the chosen city for Australia?s first climate positive car service, greentomatocars. Following a four month pilot program, the company will officially press the start button coinciding with a visit by Tom Pakenham, director and founder of the UK company of the same name, to launch the Australian arm of the business.

greentomatocars combines the superior service of a chauffeured hire car with the call-up convenience of a taxi. Using a fleet of Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles, greentomatocars emits 60% less carbon emissions than a standard taxi or hire car service they then offset more than twice their unavoidable emissions by investing in renewable energy and emission reduction projects through ClimateCare.

greentomatocars Australian marketing director, Penny Fowler, said the company was brought to Australia based on the UK?s success and research that shows local businesses and individuals are ready for a transport option that empowers them to contribute positively to the environment.

?The taxi and hire car industry is a significant contributor to Australia?s carbon emissions,? explains Penny. ?Having followed the success of greentomatocars in the UK, we identified a gap in the market here for a car service with positive green credentials as well as premium service.?

Since launching in 2006 in the UK, greentomatocars has grown to be one of the largest car service companies in the London market, employing 80 drivers with revenue in excess of 3 million. According to Tom, this success can be attributed to the following:
"greentomatocars gives companies big or small a transport option that not only neutralises their carbon output but puts it firmly in the black, positively contributing to their sustainability policies.?

During the four month pilot period in Sydney, companies with progressive environmental sustainability programs such as AGL, dmg world media, Blackmore?s and Foxtel have been quick to embrace the greentomatocars service, recognising the positive contribution it can make to their annual emission targets.

According to Penny, feedback during this period has also applauded the premium service philosophy of greentomatocars:
?We use hybrid cars but we also offer what we consider a hybrid service ? the call convenience of a taxi combined with the premium service standards of a chauffeured hire car including experienced drivers, navigation technology, cleanliness and punctuality but without the price tag.?