EVs only for public sector
The government has pledged to only buy new electric vehicles (EVs) when replacing cars in its fleet after declaring a climate change emergency in New Zealand.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the declaration is “based on science” and aims to make the public sector carbon-neutral by 2025.
The government now requires all its agencies and ministries to exclusively buy EVs and will also mandate all public sector buildings to be up to a “green standard”.
Mark Gilbert, pictured, chairman of Drive Electric, welcomed the announcement and is urging the government to transform its fleet of about 16,000 vehicles as soon as possible.
Agencies have been told to cut the number of vehicles they have and to purchase EVs, or hybrids where EVs are not appropriate, such as for some military purposes.
To meet the cost of fulfilling its promise, the government will dip into its $200 million State Sector Decarbonisation Fund.
New Zealand is the 33rd country to declare a climate change emergency following Ardern’s announcement on December 2.
“The public sector needs to be and will be an exemplar that sets the standard we all need to achieve by 2050,” she says.
The motion was supported by Labour, the Green Party, and the Maori Party, and opposed by National and ACT.
Gilbert hopes the government’s commitment to an electric fleet will show other sectors what can be achieved.
“The government-mandated fleet has about 16,000 vehicles, and yet only about one per cent of these are electric so far,” he says.
“It’s critical that this government shows leadership, and gets its own fleet shifted as soon as possible, ideally well before 2025.
“Our members asked the government to do this before the election, and we are delighted that they are now getting on with this.”
Gilbert adds the declaration of a climate emergency will only be meaningful if Ardern’s government shows “ambitious action” towards creating a climate-friendly economy.
“Part of that must be a plan to decarbonise the transport system. In New Zealand, 90 per cent of travel done on our roads is done by light vehicles. We won’t hit our climate targets unless we improve how we get around our towns, cities and regions,” he notes.
“Our 50 members, including many of New Zealand’s leading car brands, are ready to work with the government to make this plan happen.”
He explains such a plan should encourage businesses to transition their corporate fleets to EVs, and encourage people to move to EVs and more accessible active or public transport.
Gilbert says investment in infrastructure, such as EV charging networks and any necessary improvements to the grid, and making sure home-charging installations are safe will also be important.
