Mayor proud of city’s green fleet

North Shore City Mayor George Wood is green with pride that his council’s vehicle fleet scored highest among all New Zealand’s local authorities for fuel efficiency and planet friendliness.

To encourage local government to show leadership on climate change, the Green Party surveyed 85 councils’ vehicle fleets.

“Among the nation’s 16 city councils, North Shore was the clear winner,” says Green Party co-leader Jeannette Fitzsimons.

North Shore City Council’s fleet of 112 vehicles is dominated by 1.3 litre Toyota Echo and Yaris hatchbacks which average 7.4 litres per 100 kms. Other Toyotas include eight fuel-efficient Corollas, the petrol-electric hybrid Prius and a smart car.

George Wood says his council is proud of its top green rating.

“Five years ago, we put a plan in place to select vehicles that cared for the environment,” he says.

Council staff visited international websites to research vehicle exhaust emissions during a process whereby vehicles were chosen on total life cost not just the capital cost.

Unleaded low octane fuel consumption, safety and reliability were key factors.

Jeannette Fitzsimons says purchasing decisions can help or hinder climate change.

“We need to maintain pressure on central and local government to lead by example with what they buy, and thus minimise our reliance on imported oil, and the impact our consumption has on climate change,” she says.

“North Shore, Tauranga, Porirua and Dunedin city councils, and the Kapiti Coast, Tasman, Matamata/Piako and Papakura district councils all deserve praise for operating some of the most efficient local body vehicle fleets in New Zealand.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media