The new Range Rover Evoque has been granted certification from the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) for a comprehensive study into its environmental impact, Free Car Valuation can report.

It is the first VCA approval for a life-cycle study of a Land Rover model and could have many motorists looking for a free car valuation in anticipation of trading for the more eco-friendly car.

To achieve the certificate, the detailed study took in every aspect of the Evoque, from cradle to grave, and included a full audit.

The VCA approval makes Land Rover one of only a few manufacturers to have completed an officially recognised study of the environmental impact of a vehicle from manufacturing, through use and to disposal.

Range Rover said: “The report highlights many of the processes that make the Range Rover Evoque the brand’s lightest and most efficient vehicle to date.

“These include the use of recycled materials, lightweight components and stop start technology.”

Also highlighted were sustainability measures in the manufacturing process, such as the latest generation of paint application equipment.

“Operating in a sustainable way and producing products that reflect this ethos is clearly a very important part of business,” Paul Markwick,  VCA chief executive officer, told Free Car Valuation.

The study will also enable Land Rover to look into more ways of improving sustainability in its vehicles and highlights progress already made in reducing the carbon footprint of its vehicles.

Life cycle assessment is a core part of the manufacturer’s engineering practice and the whole group is committed to a sustainable business future.

Jaguar Land Rover is working towards ambitious long term targets with an overall goal of 25% reductions in operational carbon dioxide emissions and waste to landfill by 2012, a 10% reduction in water consumption by the same year and a 25% reduction in tailpipe emissions by 2015.

If eco-friendly driving is your future too, why not get a free car valuation and trade in for a greener model.