| With these days' in dire need for "environmental | | | | the VEAB employees are small groups (12) and |
| cars", Volvo Cars Driving Academy is having a | | | | the students are skeptical and most believe they |
| growing demand for its eco-driving course. | | | | already drive with a green foot or at least know |
| Tommy Andersson, chief instructor at the Volvo | | | | how to. |
| Cars Driving Academy, commented it is possible | | | | They first get to drive a set urban route with the |
| to lessen fuel costs and have a better effect on | | | | Volvo Cars Driving Academy's cars, which are |
| the environment through changing one's driving | | | | equipped with measuring devices for exact fuel |
| motive. | | | | consumption. A lesson in eco-driving then follows. |
| The Volvo Cars Driving Academy is a relatively | | | | And then, students drive the same route again, |
| unknown division of Volvo Cars' operations. It has | | | | applying their newly learned eco-driving skills. |
| been around in various forms since 1989 giving | | | | Students at the Volvo Cars Driving Academy are |
| instructions in winter driving, safety driving, and | | | | more than satisfied when they receive their |
| security driving. | | | | certificates. |
| Andersson explains the academy offers a wide | | | | Stefan Fredriksson, landscape gardener, |
| variety of courses every year for professional | | | | commented that from now on, he will be thinking |
| drivers and private individuals. He explained further | | | | more about which road he would choose. He |
| safety driving is still their biggest-seller, but the | | | | continues that he will avoid roads with many |
| demand for eco-driving is increasing. | | | | traffic lights where the traffic has to stop so |
| VEAB Mark & Trädgård, a Swedish | | | | often. |
| construction service provider, is one of the | | | | Andersson predicts that enrolment in the |
| companies that opted to enroll its employees in | | | | Academy's eco-driving course will increase. |
| the eco-driving course at the Volvo Cars Driving | | | | According to him, his aim is to focus more on |
| Academy. | | | | environmentally friendly eco-driving. For example, |
| HÃ¥kan Persson, President of VEAB, says | | | | he said, they are discussing cooperation with |
| many of their clients demand the course if they | | | | companies and municipalities with regard company |
| are to be included in their purchasing contracts. He | | | | cars and pool cars. He further said that it is only a |
| adds that they work on behalf of big companies, | | | | matter of time before they realize what they |
| the municipality and the Swedish Road | | | | stand to gain by giving everyone the knowledge |
| Administration. He affirmed their ISO 14001 | | | | about this issue. |
| environmental certification. He also said allowing | | | | Since Volvo is targeting an eco-friendly drive, |
| employees to undergo an eco-driving course at | | | | expect that toxicity of emissions form its cars' |
| the Volvo Cars Driving Academy is a wise | | | | internal combustion engines are reduced because |
| investment. | | | | of its Volvo catalytic converter. |
| Like many of the Academy's students before, | | | | |