ProCredit Bank in Bulgaria with concrete steps towards carbon neutrality
Source：3eNews
From：Taiwan Trade Center, Sofia
Update Time：2024/04/22
ProCredit Bank has been actively working to reduce its environmental footprint as part of its commitment to environmental protection and social responsibility. The bank has been implementing green initiatives to support its customers in adopting more sustainable business and personal practices.
Currently, 5% of ProCredit Bank's vehicle fleet consists of electric or plug-in hybrid cars. As part of its environmental responsibility efforts, the bank has increased its fleet with an additional 10 electric cars this year, bringing the total to 85% of its fleet being electrified.
ProCredit Bank's electric vehicles are expected to save over 100 tons of carbon emissions annually. Despite the higher initial investment in electric cars compared to conventional ones, the bank finds that the costs are quickly offset by lower maintenance and electricity consumption. The electricity used is partly generated by the bank's own photovoltaic installations, with the remainder guaranteed to come from renewable energy sources.
The bank's journey to minimize its ecological footprint began in 2015 when it became the first bank in Bulgaria to purchase 10 electric cars, accounting for 50% of all newly registered electric cars in the country at that time. These vehicles are used by employees for on-site visits to business clients, significantly reducing fuel consumption and bolstering the bank's reputation as a sustainable and environmentally friendly institution.
In 2016, ProCredit Bank introduced the "EcoMobility" loan, a specialized product for purchasing electric cars with attractive conditions for both individual and business customers. Recognizing the challenge of insufficient charging stations for electric vehicles, the bank began constructing its own stations and developed a credit product for purchasing charging stations suitable for both fast and slow charging.
ProCredit Bank has made charging stations freely accessible at its branches. Starting in 2016, charging stations were installed in front of the bank's offices for use by employees and customers, offering free electric car charging during working hours with the assistance of a bank employee.
In 2022, the bank constructed 66 charging stations in 56 locations, including parking lots of shops, hospitals, hotels, and business centers. ProCredit Bank also collaborated with Eldrive Charging, a major operator of charging stations in Bulgaria, to build an additional 20 stations. Today, the bank boasts over 100 built and functioning charging stations, furthering its commitment to the development of electric transport and environmental sustainability.
Source: https://3e-news.net/en/a/view/51328/pro-credit-bank-with-concrete-steps-towards-carbon-neutrality