KEY POINTS:
The Greens have welcomed the Government's move towards more fuel-efficient replacements for the ministerial car fleet, but say ministers should set up a car pool.
Prime Minister Helen Clark confirmed yesterday the Government was looking at replacements for the Ford Fairlanes that make up most of the fleet.
Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons welcomed the move, saying the Ford Fairlanes and Ford LTDs were identified on the Government's own fuel saver website as among the worst on the market and used 14.5 litres of petrol per 100km.
Helen Clark said the review would have to take into account practical considerations, such as the cars needing to comfortably seat four people and allow ministers to work in them.
Ms Fitzsimons said economy did not have to come at the expense of comfort.
"Smaller engines under the hood need not mean less leg-room in the back seat," she said.
Ministers could also set an example by sharing cars when going to the same event.
"Rumour has it that at the recent Labour Party conference in Rotorua ministers arrived and left in lonely splendour in their individual, carbon-belching limousines."
The Greens have estimated that the whole fleet of 85 executive-type vehicles - self-drive and chauffeur-driven - pumps about 200 tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere each year.
- NZPA
