BMWs Good Choice For VIP Fleet

The Government's VIP Transport service decision to phase in more fuel efficient and low emissions vehicles is a good one.

The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development, whose 61 members' annual sales equate to about 34% of gross domestic product, says the move to buy low-emissions vehicles which have a whole-of-life cost actually lower than ones costing $100,000 less on day one, sets a good example.

Business Council Chief Executive Peter Neilson says his organisation urged the Government to provide this lead when it presented a major project report in November 2005 on actions which would clean up the nation's 2.6 million passenger vehicle fleet, one of the oldest in the world.

Mr Neilson says that behind the healthy humorous cynicism which will greet the purchase of the fuel and emissions efficient BMW 730Ld fleet, is an excellent example of buying fit-for-purpose vehicles that are more energy efficient as well as health and climate friendly.

The Business Council has been urging the Government to pay cash incentives to buyers of new and used imported vehicles with the latest fuel efficient low-emission standards, and cash payments to owners to scrap older high-emission vehicles to encourage them to trade up. Both policy proposals are heavily supported by New Zealanders in nationwide research commissioned by the Business Council.

"This decision to green the VIP fleet is good. The vehicles also have to be fit for the purpose. We can't have the Queen, the Duke and an equerry being squeezed into a 1.3 litre car.

"The reality is that the VIP passenger fleet needs to carry up to three in the back seat. These days a VIP is likely to be traveling with a police officer as well as an adviser."

Other policies suggested by the Business Council in November 2005 to green the fleet included:

• Reducing the sulphur content of diesel to 10 ppm (or less) by January 2009 and the sulphur content of petrol to 50 ppm (or less) by January 2008, with a future commitment to 10 ppm sulphur within petrol by January 2009. This policy change is required to obtain the best benefits from low emission vehicles, as e.g. Euro IV vehicles are designed to run on petrol with 50 ppm sulphur content.
  
• Establishing a New Zealand vehicle website database, which provides both fuel economy and emission ratings for new and used vehicles. Ratings information would be provided by manufacturers or importers, and such information would be certified by the parent company or the deregistration certificate from the country of origin.
  
• Publicly encouraging and undertaking the replacement of central and local Government fleet vehicles with fuel efficient and low emission vehicles (where fit for purpose options are available)
  
• New Zealand Prime Minister to write to top 200 companies and government
  

organisations requesting their support for efforts to improve air quality and reduce CO2, by adding at least 1 vehicle to their fleet that would achieve a fuel economy of 6.5 L/100km for petrol vehicles or 6.0 L/100km for diesel vehicles and adding such vehicles to their recommended vehicle list.

- Consider allowing the most fuel efficient, low emission vehicles to use bus lanes.

Assuming that the New Zealand emissions standard is tightened to Euro IV (or equivalent/better) for petrol and diesel vehicles, this exemption could be offered for

vehicles with a fuel economy of 6.5 L/100km or better. This could be authorised by approved stickers displayed on eligible vehicles.

- Cabinet Ministers to take a lead by selecting fuel efficient/low emission vehicles when they next select their next self-drive car.

The full policy strategy to green the fleet is at http://www.nzbcsd.org.nz/project.asp?ProjectID=29

ENDS

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