EV numbers within departments are low

The government procurement developed database shows just 0.46% of the government’s light fleet of 15,371 vehicles are electric vehicles (EVs).

For more than a year, ministers have been urging the use of EVs for more than a year. The government’s goal is for all new vehicles entering its fleet to be emissions-free by 2026.

EVs are generally more expensive to purchase upfront, the models may not suit certain needs and concerns about range limitations are some reasons why the public and agencies have not taken them up.

The fleets average CO2 emissions was 169g/km as of the 2018-2019 third quarter financial year, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment reports. NZ Antarctic Institute had the worst average of 254 CO2 g/km for six vehicles. The Serious Fraud Office performed best at 39 CO2 g/km, but it has just one car.

Most agencies did not have an EV represent. The Department of Corrections had 1191 vehicles, no EVS but had four hybrids. Fire and Emergency NZ has no EVs or hybrids.

NZ Transport Agency has 146 vehicles, 38 of them EVs, averaging 139 CO2 g/km.