Hundreds of new EVs for state sector
The government has announced it will spend $13.1 million to buy more than 400 electric vehicles (EVs) for the state fleet and install new charging infrastructure.
It hopes the move will accelerate plans for a carbon neutral public sector by 2025 and also lead to more low-emissions cars filtering through into the second-hand market.
James Shaw, Minister of Climate Change, announced the funding on May 12 and says it will ensure more state sector staff can get around while also helping the planet.
“Introducing 422 electric vehicles to the state sector fleet will reduce carbon emissions by around 11,600 tonnes over the next 10 years,” he adds.
“The conversion of government fleets also means more demand for electric vehicles, which will start flowing through into the second-hand market, making electric vehicles more accessible for everyone.”
The funding will come from the government’s $200m State Sector Decarbonisation Fund and includes $5.1m to help the Department of Conservation (DOC) buy 148 EVs and install charging infrastructure.
Others to benefit from the cash include Kainga Ora, which will receive $1.1m to purchase 40 EVs, Northland DHB will get $4.3m to lease 150 cars, and the New Zealand Defence Force will recive $1m to secure 32 EVs through a mix of leasing and buying.
Each agency will also invest money from their own budgets to help acquire the vehicles and put in charging facilties.
Shaw says EVs are better for the climate than those powered by fossil fuels. “Over the life of a typical electric vehicle, the emissions comparison with an internal combustion engine isn’t even close. Electric vehicles are also much are cheaper to run than petrol cars.”
Dr Ayesha Verrall, Acting Conservation Minister, says the government must not take its foot off the accelerator when it comes to transport emissions.
She says this latest funding will help DOC to remove 490 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per annum from its vehicle fleet emissions, which will be a 19 per cent reduction compared to the 2018/19 financial year.
“Combined with other DOC vehicle emission reduction programmes, the total projected reduction is 26 per cent once all the electric vehicles are on road.”
