IONIQ puts QFleet on track to zero emissions

Queensland's drive towards a cleaner, greener future is powering ahead with the addition of the first new generation electric vehicle to the government’s QFleet managed fleet.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said the Queensland Government was now the proud owner of the first Hyundai IONIQ EV in Australia.

Taking the IONIQ for it’s first outing from Parliament yesterday, Mr de Brenni said incorporating battery electric vehicles (BEV) into the government's managed fleet of 10,000 vehicles puts Queensland on track to achieve zero net emissions by 2050.

“This vehicle is the first of what will eventually be an entirely electric fleet of cars for Queensland Government employees.

“We’re on track to have at least 288 electric vehicles by 2022, this puts us on track to become carbon neutral by 2050.

“I’ve taken the IONIQ for a spin and I can tell you it’s a great vehicle that has everything government employees need when they’re out and about,” he said. “It’s got sat nav, state of the art safety features and it even looks great on the road.

“This vehicle may be the champion of silent running, but the money it will save on fuel costs is certainly something to shout about,” Mr de Brenni said.

QFleet is working with electric vehicle manufacturers for early access to new models as they are released to the Australian market.

“The availability of these vehicles is expected to improve over the next 12 months and beyond,” said QFleet General Manager Oscar Liviero.

“We want to guide the whole of Queensland Government towards a cleaner, greener future through the adoption of a more environmentally sustainable fleet.

“The Hyundai IONIQ, along with our hybrid vehicles, has an important role to play driving this transition,” Mr Liviero said.

After accepting the keys at Parliament House yesterday, Mr de Brenni took the for a 25-minute test drive that resulted in zero tailpipe emissions from the vehicle.

The addition of the Hyundai IONIQ delivers on QFleet's Electric Vehicle Transition Strategy and Environment Strategy which was released earlier this year.

“We've already got a number of hybrid EVs in the fleet, including the outstanding Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, but the addition of the IONIQ is an important milestone in the transition process,” Mr de Brenni said.

“We’re also planning to introduce more charging stations in Government workplaces to encourage use of electric cars across our communities.”

“With the investment the state is making in the Queensland Electric Super Highway, I think it's fair to say you will see an increasing number of vehicles like this on our roads between Brisbane and Cairns and west to Toowoomba.”

For more information go to www.qfleet.qld.gov.au

ENDS

Media contact: Rosie Gilbert: 0466 834 330