28 April 2000

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE USE

GOVERNMENT SHOULD INVEST IN HYBRID CARS, SAYS ECOLOGIC

Any Government investment in an energy-efficient fleet of Ministerial vehicles should make use of the more advanced technology now becoming available overseas, the Ecologic Foundation said today.

“Rather than investing in the ‘old technology’ of CNG and LPG-powered vehicles, as suggested by the Green Party today, the Government should consider investing in the new technology being developed overseas,” executive director of Ecologic, Guy Salmon, said.

“Hybrid petrol-electric cars use 50% less fuel than conventional cars, and are now being mass produced in the United States and Japan.”

“A four-door Toyota Prius, for example, uses only five litres of fuel per 100 km, runs for 1,000 km on a single tank, and never needs plugging in. It is priced about the same as a Toyota Camry.”

“An investment in hybrid cars for the entire Government fleet would show strong Government leadership on the issue of energy efficiency.”

“It would also show that we have a forward-looking government, which is prepared to embrace new forms of technology.”

Mr Salmon said a further advantage from Government fleet investment in the new technology was that it would help reduce the cost of importing the vehicles into New Zealand, making them more attractive to consumers.

For more information, please contact Guy Salmon at 025-2013033.

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