The name Lamborghini usually conjures up thoughts of an exotic supercar with a big engine and a deep, throaty exhaust. However, the Italian supercarmaker has announced a new plan of environmental sustainability that includes research in hybrid drivetrain solutions.
Hybrid drivetrains are only one possible emissions-reducing solution that the company is investigating. Lamborghini's research & development team is also looking into decreasing vehicle mass, improving engine combustion, reducing friction, start-and-stop systems, and biofuels. The company plans to decrease vehicle emissions by 35% by the year 2015.
Lamborghini is not only exploring methods to reduce its vehicle emissions, it is also planning on reducing the emissions produced by its factory. By 2010, the plan is to reduce CO2 emissions from industrial processes by 30 percent. The company has already taken the first step with the installation of a large photovoltaic system that will produce 1,582 Megawatt hour (MWh) of "green" energy per year. The next steps will be insulating the production facility's whole roof, improving lighting and heating, and introducing destratification systems for heated air.
Lamborghini will invest €35 million to reduce both its plant and vehicle emissions over the next 5 years. In regard to the plan, Stephan Winkelmann, the president and CEO of Lamborghini, said, "This is an important action for Lamborghini and a central opportunity for our long-term corporate and product development."