$4.8m extra for EVs, etc

Further funds to help buy EVs and install charging infrastructure have been announced.

Climate Change minister James Shaw has allocated another $4.8 million from the Government’s $220m State Sector Decarbonisation Fund to purchase more EVs and energy efficient lighting.

It includes $1.467m to the Department of Internal Affairs for EVs and to install charging infrastructure for 48 vehicles. The department will put in $1.659m from its own budget, the purchases expected to reduce carbon emissions by about 709 tonnes over 10 years.

Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) Canterbury gets $0.789m for EVs and to install charging infrastructure (27 vehicles), investing $0.800m from its own budget – the moves estimated to reduce carbon emissions by around 1007 tonnes over 10 years.

The Education Review Office and Callaghan Innovation receive $0.135m and $0.163m respectively for EVs and charging for five vehicles each, while NIWA gets $0.066m for EVs and charging (two vehicles), and the New Zealand Lotteries Commission $0.029m for one EV.

The fund has now supported 86 projects – including the purchase of 1066 EVs.

“This Government has been putting tens of millions of dollars into supporting hospitals, schools and other public organisations switch to clean, climate-friendly ways of keeping people warm and the lights on,” says Shaw.

“The projects I am announcing build on this and take the overall carbon emission saving to close to half a million tonnes over the next 10 years. The projects we have supported, both large and small, will together make a significant contribution towards meeting New Zealand’s emissions budgets.

Shaw points to the Emissions Reduction Plan as ensuring every sector is playing its part to meet the climate targets the Government has put in place.

“Our commitment to a carbon neutral public sector by 2025 ensures the Government leads by example as we continue to take action to cut climate pollution and boost clean energy right across the country.”

Overall, the projects supported by the State Sector Decarbonisation Fund will save 432,924 tonnes of carbon emissions over 10 years – the equivalent of taking 17,800 cars off the road.