Sometimes the rumble of a V8 or the silky smoothness of a V12 is the main attraction, not just the stylish body that carries them around.
Now classic car insurance and lifestyle brand Hagerty has a roundabout way to turn vehicles into green machines without changing a thing.
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Classic cars typically have higher carbon emissions than modern models. (iStock/carolo7)
It has launched a new program called ECO, which is short for Enthusiast Carbon Offset, that allows owners to calculate their annual carbon emissions and pay to have enough trees planted to counteract the carbon dioxide emissions made by their vehicles.
Hagerty's ECO program provides carbon offsets for emissions. (istock/)
"When it comes to restoring and protecting our beautiful landscapes, there’s important work to be done just around the bend. That means your emissions offsets will always be used to replenish forests and natural habitats that are close to home and your favorite driving roads — especially areas affected by wildfires, wind damage, tree diseases and insect damage," Hagerty explains.
It is a partnership with Chrome Carbon and includes a simple calculator that lets you choose the type of vehicle, what its estimated fuel economy is and how many miles it has driven annually, in increments of 500 miles.
Kindred Motorworks converts classic cars and trucks to run on electricity. (Kindred Motorworks)
A vintage car that gets 15 mpg and is driven 1,000 miles, for instance, costs $33.70 a year, while a 40 mpg motorcycle is priced at $12.70 for the same mileage.
Along with offering the service to its customers, Hagerty is also using it to offset its in-house fleet and any driving events it organizes.