BoP council’s carbon neutral drive includes EVs

Seventeen EVs, with six more coming, are helping Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council to reduce corporate greenhouse gas emissions.

Its CO2 emissions are under 1000 tonnes for 2020/21 – 4% lower than last year’s total emissions, and since signing up to the Toitū carbon reduce certification in 2019, the organisation has reduced its corporate emissions by 15%.

The council is working towards being carbon neutral by 2050, says its customer contact manager Rachael Burgess.

“We are slowly electrifying our vehicle fleet as and when they’re due to be replaced, we now have 17 electric vehicles, with six more on the way,” she explains.

“This step alone saves about three tonnes of CO2 emissions per vehicle per year.”

The council plans to have all light motor vehicles move to electric in the next three years.

Its electric fleet is receiving a make-over, transforming the vehicles into roving narratives, telling the story of the region, sub regions and mahi.

“We want our electric vehicles to inspire change within our community, and making the move to electric transport will be a key step in global emissions reduction,” says Burgess.

“New Zealand is at a turning point, close to releasing an emissions reduction plan that will set ambitious policies to decarbonise all sectors.

“We want to be leaders for this change.”

The council’s main corporate emissions source is from diesel, followed by electricity use and waste.

Its office buildings feature energy reduction technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, and LED lighting.

“Leading by example we hope to inspire other organisations and businesses to look at their own carbon footprint,” Burgess explains.

“We don’t want to rely on off-setting measures, such as the planting of trees, so this is about seeing where we as a council emit most emissions and work to reduce these where we can.”

The council has upgraded bike storage at is Tauranga office and is exploring ways of installing repair and maintenance equipment as part of a staff travel plan.

“We are also in the process of restarting our internal e-Bike discount and loan scheme after much success in previous years,” says corporate sustainability officer Adam Macfarlane-Hill.

“This scheme assists staff to purchase an e-bike via salary deductions, reducing the cost barrier often faced when considering this option.”

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