Environment

NSW Government Cleaner Fleet Initiative

Background

In November 2004, the NSW Premier announced the Cleaner Government Fleet Initiative. To ensure the success of the program, the Government set tough new efficiency targets for Government Fleets. It was at this time that cars with V8 engines were removed from purchase through Government Contract, in recognition of the significant greenhouse pollution and high running costs of V8 cars.

The Cleaner NSW Government Fleet program, run by the former Department of Commerce aimed to:

• Encourage the use of smaller, cleaner and less polluting vehicles;
• Reduce fuel costs, running costs and greenhouse gas emissions by 20%; and
• Save in the order of $50 million on vehicle lease and fuel costs (by 2008).  

Every government agency was required to:

• Develop a Fleet Improvement Plan by 1 July each year to meet the targets*
• Improve the average 'environment performance score' of their fleet using the NSW Clean Car Benchmarks, and
• Progressively reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions to achieve a 20% reduction (by 2007/08).

The program also entailed:

Changes to private use conditions; and
 
Centralised purchasing arrangements to be administered by the former Department of Commerce. These arrangements made provision for StateFleet to manage the purchase of vehicles on behalf of the agencies to not only meet the operational requirements, but also take into account the balance of the fleet in managing for both environmental and residual value risks on a whole of government basis.
 
A set of Guidelines for Fleet Managers outlining in detail the requirements for agencies under the new policy was released in February 2005.

* targets:-

 Average 'environment performance score' of:

• 10 out of 20 by 2005/06
• 11 out of 20 by 2006/07
• 12 out of 20 by 2007/08

Guidelines for Fleet Managers

The Premier of New South Wales issued Memorandum 2005- 03 Cleaner NSW Government Fleet.  This memorandum outlines agency requirements to deliver a Cleaner NSW Government Fleet.

The Guidelines for Fleet Managers outlines in detail the requirements under this policy.

Each Agency is required to submit a Fleet Improvement Plan and Report to StateFleet in September of each year.  

Agencies may also view the "environment performance score" of vehicles in the Passenger Vehicles by Benchmark Category table or at www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au