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The government’s move to prioritize electric and hybrid vehicles for its fleet as part of today’s climate change emergency declaration has been welcomed by the nonprofit Drive Electric, but the agency says the move has yet to go. far enough.
By declaring a climate change emergency, the government has pledged to clean its own house with all government buildings green and cars new to electricity by 2025.
The climate change emergency declaration was made today by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and sees New Zealand joining 32 other countries that have also declared a climate change emergency.
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Drive Electric has welcomed the Government’s decision to prioritize electric and hybrid vehicles in its fleet purchases.
As part of the declaration, government agencies will need to “optimize” their car fleet with a reduction of vehicles and electric vehicles that are preferred for new vehicles, or hybrids where electric vehicles are not appropriate.
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Mark Gilbert, Chairman of Drive Electric, congratulated the government on the move and welcomes the commitment to a carbon-neutral public service by 2025, which includes the transition from the government to electric fleet.
ROBERT KITCHEN / Things
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern makes a motion to declare a climate emergency in Parliament’s debating hall.
“The government-mandated fleet has around 16,000 vehicles, and yet only about 1 percent of them are electric so far. It is critical that this Government show leadership and change its own fleet as soon as possible, ideally well before 2025, ”said Gilbert.
“Our members asked the Government to do this before the elections and we are delighted that they are now going ahead with this. This will show other sectors what can be achieved.
“Today’s declaration of a climate emergency in New Zealand is an instrument of leadership, but it is only truly meaningful if we see ambitious action towards a climate-friendly economy.”
Gilbert went on to say that part of that must be a plan to decarbonize the transportation system.
“In New Zealand, 90% of the trips made on our roads are made in light vehicles. We will not achieve our climate goals unless we improve the way we move around our towns, cities and regions, ”he said.
“Our 50 members, including many of New Zealand’s leading car brands, are ready to work with the Government to make this plan a reality.”
Gilbert said the plan should include measures to encourage companies to transition their corporate fleets to electric vehicles and to encourage New Zealanders to switch to electric vehicles and more accessible public / active transportation.
Investment in infrastructure, such as electric vehicle charging networks and necessary network improvements, were another vital part of the plan, as well as measures to ensure that home charging facilities are manageable and safe.
Drive Electric is a non-profit organization with 50 financial members who “represent the convergence of the electric mobility ecosystem: finance, automotive, infrastructure, energy and government.”
New Zealand car importers that are members include Toyota, BMW, the Giltrap Group (Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda, Seat, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo and Aston Martin), GMSV, Hyundai, Nissan and Tesla.
