New Zealand Greens criticize new BMW VIP fleet

Dec 18, 2007, 23:50 GMT

Wellington - New Zealand Greens on Wednesday attacked the government's purchase of a new fleet of German-made BMW cars for its VIP fleet, saying they breached the administration's own energy- efficiency standards for diesel vehicles.

The government announced Tuesday that it was buying 34 luxury BMW limousines, dubbing them 'greener, cleaner and more energy-efficient' than the existing VIP fleet of petrol-powered Fords and Australian- made Holdens.

Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said that the BMWs contravened the government's own energy efficiency and conservation strategy, issued in October, which set a maximum consumption of 6.5 litres of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres travelled.

The BMW 730Ld uses 8.01 litres per 100 km, and Fitzsimons said that meant the fleet would be putting out nearly 22 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year more than the strategy's standard.

Fitzsimons said the cars sent entirely the wrong message to New Zealanders.

'These vehicles don't convey anything about the reality of climate change upon us or the imminent end of cheap oil,' she said. 'If the government expects individual New Zealanders to make positive changes in their lives to cut climate change emissions, they need to start taking their own responsibilities more seriously.'

Fitzsimons said a few of the six-cylinder, 3-litre cars for state guests would have been enough, and government ministers and judges, who will also ride in the chauffeur-driven 'gas guzzlers,' should use smaller, more energy-efficient vehicles.