20 March 2001

Greens welcome new LPG cop cars

Green MP Jeanette Fitzsimons today said it was great news that new police cars would now be powered with the cheaper, cleaner and locally produced LPG.

Police Minister George Hawkins today announced a $13.2 million package to enable the police to buy around 400 new cars. The new police vehicles will be fitted out as LPG duel-fuel vehicles.

"It's high time that Government agencies started taking a lead in reducing pollution and harmful emissions," said Ms Fitzsimons. "LPG is cheaper, cleaner buring than petrol, and is produced right here in New Zealand."

Ms Fitzsimons said as LPG was locally produced it was not subject to sporadic fluctuations in price. It also burned cleaner in the cars engine and these two factors combined would save the police significant money in the long term.

"The Greens have long been calling for the Government to start switching its vehicle fleet over to cleaner, locally produced fuel and we applaud this decision. We are sure the police will have no complaints with this fuel and we hope their feedback will encourage the Government to broaden this scheme.

"This is a great start which shows foresight and economic commonsense. We would now like to see the Government make a firm commitment to applying this initiative to all Government cars, starting with the Crown limosines," said Ms Fitzsimons.

ENDS

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