State’s EV fleet wins $3.5m boost

An extra 127 electric vehicles (EV) will soon enter the state sector fleet as part of a $13.2 million handout from the government’s state sector decarbonisation fund.

James Shaw, Minister of Climate Change, has announced $3.5m of the allocation will help purchase EVs and charging infrastructure in Auckland, Wellington and Taranaki.

The cash comes from a $220m fund designed to support state sector organisations make the switch to clean energy. It has already supported the purchase of nearly 600 electric vehicles and replaced more than 100 coal boilers with cleaner alternatives.

Shaw, pictured, says the latest projects to benefit from the money, which was announced on October 28, will help progress the transition to a carbon-neutral public sector by 2025.

“Our government has been putting tens of millions of dollars into clean-energy projects in public organisations across Aotearoa, helping to create jobs and support our recovery from Covid-19,” he adds.

Latest EV projects

Auckland

$1.866m for Waitemata DHB to purchase 72 EVs and install charging infrastructure, reducing carbon emissions by about 1,251 tonnes over 10 years. The DHB will invest $1.866m from its own budget.

Wellington

$1.553m for the Ministry for Primary Industries to purchase 52 EVs and charging infrastructure. The ministry will invest $1.707m from its own budget and is set to cut carbon emissions by about 1,001 tonnes over 10 years.

Taranaki

$105,000 for Western Institute of Technology to purchase three EVs and install charging infrastructure, reducing carbon emissions by about 101 tonnes over 10 years. The institute will invest $137,000 from its own budget.