Published Thursday, 14 February, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Premier inspects new greener government cars
Queensland is pushing ahead with its innovative climate initiatives with Premier Anna Bligh and Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten today unveiling some of the new ‘greener’ vehicles that will make up the government vehicle fleet.
Ms Bligh said 10 new Honda Civic hybrids were delivered to QFleet this week as part of the government’s plan to slash vehicle emissions for the entire government fleet by 15% by the end of 2010 and by 50% by the end of 2017.
“QFleet intends to add as many as 50 Honda Civic hybrids to its fleet this year,” Ms Bligh said.
“These vehicles will join QFleet’s current fleet of 177 hybrids, which includes the Toyota Prius.
“Hybrids are ideal for start-stop city driving and they achieve superior fuel economy by shutting down the engine at idle and by regenerating energy on downhill slopes.
“QFleet is also evaluating a number of fuel-efficient vehicles.”
Ms Bligh said she was leading by example by already driving a new ministerial car, a Chrysler 300C, which has a 3-litre turbo diesel engine and a Green Vehicle Guide greenhouse rating of 6
“As part of achieving our green targets, QFleet’s light commercial fleet is expected to be 80% diesel or LPG-fuelled by 2010,” she said.
“By the same date, half the passenger fleet is projects to consist of diesel, hybrid, micro, light and small vehicles.”
Mr Schwarten said individual government agencies would no longer choose specific vehicle or lease parameters.
“QFleet will determine the whole-of-Government fleet mix based on agency fit-for-purpose requirements and vehicle emissions,” he said.
“The use of the Commonwealth Government’s Green Vehicle Guide greenhouse ratings to choose vehicles is a departure for the practice of focussing on the number of cylinders.
“QFleet will now only make vehicles with a rating equal to, or greater than, 5.5 for passenger vehicles and 3.5 for light commercial vehicles. For example, both the Honda Civic hybrid and Toyota Prius are rated at 8.5 while the Toyota Corolla is rated at 7.”
Mr Schwarten said the policy eliminated higher-emissions vehicles while still providing a wide range of vehicles to meet the service-delivery requirements of Queensland Government agencies.
Media contact: (07) 3224 4500
Ms Bligh said 10 new Honda Civic hybrids were delivered to QFleet this week as part of the government’s plan to slash vehicle emissions for the entire government fleet by 15% by the end of 2010 and by 50% by the end of 2017.
“QFleet intends to add as many as 50 Honda Civic hybrids to its fleet this year,” Ms Bligh said.
“These vehicles will join QFleet’s current fleet of 177 hybrids, which includes the Toyota Prius.
“Hybrids are ideal for start-stop city driving and they achieve superior fuel economy by shutting down the engine at idle and by regenerating energy on downhill slopes.
“QFleet is also evaluating a number of fuel-efficient vehicles.”
Ms Bligh said she was leading by example by already driving a new ministerial car, a Chrysler 300C, which has a 3-litre turbo diesel engine and a Green Vehicle Guide greenhouse rating of 6
“As part of achieving our green targets, QFleet’s light commercial fleet is expected to be 80% diesel or LPG-fuelled by 2010,” she said.
“By the same date, half the passenger fleet is projects to consist of diesel, hybrid, micro, light and small vehicles.”
Mr Schwarten said individual government agencies would no longer choose specific vehicle or lease parameters.
“QFleet will determine the whole-of-Government fleet mix based on agency fit-for-purpose requirements and vehicle emissions,” he said.
“The use of the Commonwealth Government’s Green Vehicle Guide greenhouse ratings to choose vehicles is a departure for the practice of focussing on the number of cylinders.
“QFleet will now only make vehicles with a rating equal to, or greater than, 5.5 for passenger vehicles and 3.5 for light commercial vehicles. For example, both the Honda Civic hybrid and Toyota Prius are rated at 8.5 while the Toyota Corolla is rated at 7.”
Mr Schwarten said the policy eliminated higher-emissions vehicles while still providing a wide range of vehicles to meet the service-delivery requirements of Queensland Government agencies.
Media contact: (07) 3224 4500