PETROL-ELECTRIC HYBRID CARS

In reply to the Hon. SANDRA KANCK (13 September 2007).

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning): The Minister for Finance has provided the following information:

One of the strategies is to 'accelerate efforts to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from government activities and operations'. In relation to the government motor vehicle fleet, the key action to achieve this is by converting 50 per cent of state government cars to lower emission fuels by 2010. As at September 2007, the government has achieved 28 per cent.

To achieve the 50 per cent target, agencies are being encouraged to include hybrid and LPG vehicles in their fleets, use bio fuels where possible, or move to fuel-efficient common rail diesel vehicles.

All government agencies, including SAPOL, will need to review their fleet mix to ensure the target is met by 2010. The types of vehicles chosen will depend on the purpose for which the vehicles are required.

Hybrid vehicles continue to remain a more expensive vehicle than other passenger derivatives, although some of the cost is offset through lower fuel consumption. This will need to be taken into account by agencies in determining the appropriate fleet mix.

Overall, government agencies continue to achieve an appropriate level of support for hybrid technology, when taking into account the cost of the vehicle. This has resulted in 187 hybrid vehicles in the government fleet to date.