All Government Departments Now Must Buy Electric Vehicles: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

The government will require that all its agencies and ministries exclusively purchase electric vehicles and will require that all public sector buildings meet an “green standard.”

This is part of the Government’s goal of making the entire public sector carbon neutral in the next five years.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has made the commitments by declaring a climate emergency in New Zealand in the House today.

Speaking in the House in the afternoon, Ardern said it was a “science-based statement.”

“We must act urgently,” he told MPs, before challenging them to be “on the right side of history.”

Despite Ardern’s call, National and Act opposed the motion: National climate change spokesperson Stuart Smith said it was a “mark of virtue.”

But Ardern said the statement was a “recognition of the next generation,” he said.

“It is up to us to ensure that we demonstrate a plan of action and a reason for hope.”

She said it’s not in Kiwis DNA to turn his back on a problem. – “We will only move forward if collective action is required.”

Today’s award acts as a directive to the Government in general: “it acts as a catalyst for change.”

The Government’s electric vehicle mandate is a lofty goal: there are currently nearly 16,000 vehicles in the Government’s fleet.

Today’s announcement is the government’s first major post-election commitment; Ardern said the commitments show the urgency of the situation.

The commitments mean that government agencies must measure, verify and report emissions annually.

They will also need to set gross emission reduction targets, as well as present a plan on how they will reduce emissions.

When it comes to vehicles, government agencies will need to “optimize their car fleet” by purchasing electric or hybrid vehicles where electric vehicles are not appropriate for the required use.

That is unless your operational requirements or other circumstances require it, such as military vehicles where there are no electrical alternatives.

In addition to this, Ardern has announced that the Government has started to phase out coal boilers in its ministries and agencies.

There are approximately 200 coal-fired boilers that currently heat water and buildings in the state sector; the largest and most active will be removed first.

This, and the purchase of a greener fleet, will be financed through the previously announced $ 200 million State Sector Decarbonization Fund.

Climate Change Minister James Shaw said the 2025 target shows that this government is taking the problems of global climate change seriously.

The implementation of the energy efficiency building rating standard will take effect in January 2026, giving the government time to implement the new mandate.

But from now on, there will be a requirement to achieve a minimum of 4 stars when establishing new leases and a minimum of 5 stars for new construction.