We have a goal that the government's fleet should be emissions free by 2025/26. This aligns with the government’s priority to transition to a net zero emissions economy by 2050.
In December 2020, the Government implemented an ‘electric vehicles first’ policy for the government fleet to accelerate its transition to low-emissions vehicles.
Mandated agencies must now choose a battery electric vehicle (or a plug-in hybrid if a battery electric is not appropriate), when replacing a vehicle. Before considering a vehicle replacement, mandated agencies must also optimise their fleets with the goal of reducing their number of vehicles.
Mandated and eligible agencies
Where battery electric vehicles are not appropriate for the required use mandate agencies are required to choose a plug-in hybrid.
If an agency can show that there is an operational requirement or other circumstance preventing it from replacing a vehicle with a battery electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle it can request an exemption.
These requirements are part of the Carbon Neutral Government Programme that aims to make a number of government organisations carbon neutral from 2025. They are expected to accelerate progress towards the goal that the government’s fleet should be emissions free by 2025/26.
About the Carbon Neutral Government Programme - Ministry for the Environment — Manatū Mō Te Taiao
This page shows progress towards transitioning the government fleet to low-emissions vehicles and is updated quarterly. Agencies can use this tool to see how they are tracking in comparison to other agencies and encourages them to transition to an emissions free fleet.
For further information on Cabinet’s decisions on the Carbon Neutral Government Programme read Leading the way: Establishing a Carbon Neutral Government Programme.
| Overall government fleet statistics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Measure | Quarter 4 FY-20/21 | Quarter 3 FY-20/21 |
| Average emissions CO2 (g/km) | 153.04 | 155.21 |
| Total estimated CO2 emissions (g/km) | 2,347,094 | 2,376,028 |
| Percentage of electric vehicles in fleet (including battery electric vehicles and plug in hybrid vehicles) | 2.37% | 1.90% |
| Number of battery electric vehicles in the fleet | 260 | 191 |
| Number of plug in hybrid vehicles in the fleet | 91 | 90 |
| Overall fleet size | 14,755 | 14,778 |
This graph represents the total estimated emissions profile of the government fleet, as of Quarter 4, 20/21. Emissions are measured in grams of CO2 per kilometre. The solid line is the government's total estimated CO2 emissions (g/km). The dash line represents the target reduction in emissions, taking into account the immediate 20 percent reduction that is required by agencies.
This table shows the 16 mandated agencies that have the highest average vehicle emissions profiles across their light vehicle fleet, as of Quarter 4, 20/21. Agencies are ranked by the average CO2 ratings across their fleet, measured in grams per kilometre.
| Agency | Fleet size | Average CO2 (g/km) |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Antarctic Institute | 7 | 248 |
| Public Trust | 12 | 228 |
| National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited | 81 | 216 |
| Te Kāhui Whakamana Rua Tekau mā Iwa — Pike River Recovery Agency | 9 | 216 |
| Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited | 7 | 210 |
| Te Puni Kōkiri (Ministry of Māori Development) | 1 | 206 |
| Fire and Emergency New Zealand | 1,097 | 206 |
| AgResearch Limited | 54 | 204 |
| New Zealand Police | 3,339 | 192 |
| The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited | 115 | 191 |
| Maritime New Zealand | 49 | 186 |
| Land Information New Zealand | 6 | 185 |
| Department of Corrections | 1,256 | 184 |
| New Zealand Defence Force | 111 | 184 |
| Department of Conservation | 813 | 183 |
| Ministry for Primary Industries | 535 | 183 |
This table shows the 16 mandated agencies that have the lowest average vehicle emissions across their light vehicle fleet, as of Quarter 4, 20/21. Agencies are ranked by the average CO2 ratings across their fleet, measured in grams per kilometre.
| Agency | Fleet size | Average CO2 (g/km) |
|---|---|---|
| Serious Fraud Office | 1 | 39 |
| New Zealand Trade and Enterprise | 24 | 75 |
| Education Review Office | 67 | 85 |
| Statistics New Zealand | 40 | 93 |
| Accident Compensation Corporation | 135 | 98 |
| Television New Zealand Limited | 55 | 108 |
| Wairarapa District Health Board | 18 | 110 |
| South Canterbury District Health Board | 72 | 111 |
| Ministry of Justice | 209 | 112 |
| Waikato District Health Board | 105 | 112 |
| Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities | 646 | 113 |
| Hawke's Bay District Health Board | 58 | 116 |
| Capital and Coast District Health Board | 273 | 117 |
| Ministry of Education | 585 | 118 |
| Ministry of Social Development | 491 | 118 |
| Inland Revenue Department | 82 | 122 |