Press release -
Norwegian Red breeding organization, Geno, introduces electric cars for its AI technician team
Geno invited four AI technicians who travel more than 17,500km (10,873 miles) a year in Norway to take part in the project and use Geno-branded BMW i3 cars. “We will look especially at the performance of the cars in winter temperatures and then decide how many additional electric cars to introduce in 2020,” says Geno’s Cedric Oeglaend who is co-ordinating the project.
“As more choice of electric cars becomes available, we will consider the type of electric car required for technicians, such as those suited to longer distances or 4x4 cars for those in more remote areas.”
Geno estimates that by moving its 10 highest mileage technician vehicles to electric power could reduce its technician service running costs by approximately 500,000NOK (USD 55,000 approx.) per year and reduce emissions by approximately 30 tonnes of CO2 per year based on average emissions of 100 g/km.
“We are committed to reducing environmental pollution and we are looking at modifications to our whole business,” says Mr Oeglaend. “Norway is a country where the environment is highly valued and admired. We are taking a global lead in the cattle breeding and genetics sector in developing a more environmentally efficient and sustainable industry that meets the targets set by World leaders.”
Geno technician Jon Helge Sandal with his BMW i3 car. Photo: Hans Willy Tuft
A major part of Geno’s business is the exporting of elite genetics to more than 30 countries, for pure and cross breeding herds. Geno is active in the US and supplies Norwegian Red genetics, typically into crossbred programmes for dairy herds, through ABS.
In the first half of 2019, 45% of car sales in Norway were electric. The country has a target to increase this to 100% by 2025. The Norwegian government offers incentives such as zero VAT on electric car sales until at least 2020, and free tolls, reduced car parking charges and free use of bus lanes. Electricity in Norway is relatively cheap compared with fuel and the country has a network of charging points enabling electric vehicles to operate effectively.
Delivery and handover of first electric cars in Geno's fleet. Video: Cedric Oeglaend
About Geno
Geno is Norway’s national breeding organization operating the Norwegian Red breeding programme. It has been conducting research and development for cattle breeding since 1935. Geno produces over 1.3 million doses of semen from elite Norwegian Red bulls each year and distributes genetic material to more than 30 countries worldwide.
A farmer co-operative, Geno operates Norway’s AI service with 110 technicians covering 1.6million kilometres a year (approximately 1million miles). In addition, several hundred veterinarians have a contract with Geno to perform AI across the country. Visits are made to more than 9,000 dairy and beef units.
Norway has approximately 141,000 nationally recorded dairy cows with an average milk yield of 7,986kg, or 8,373kg energy corrected yield (2018). Nearly 100% of dairy cows in Norway are purebred Norwegian Red.
Geno's vision: Breeding for better lives. Geno's Head Office is at Hamar, Norway.
Topics
Norwegian Red is the main dairy cattle breed in Norway, developed by Geno SA. Geno SA is a farmer-owned cooperative that has been breeding Norwegian Red dairy cattle since 1935. Geno sells over 1 million doses of semen from elite Norwegian Red bulls each year and distributes genetic material to more than 30 countries worldwide. Geno's vision: Breeding for better lives. Geno's head office is in Hamar, Norway.
