Gas-guzzlers bought after Kyoto ratified

The Government bought gas-guzzling limos for its ministerial fleet after it signed the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Parliament was told yesterday.

Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said the Ford Fairlanes and Ford LTDs were identified on the Government's own fuelsaver website as among the worst on the market and used 14.5 litres of petrol per 100km.

"These Crown cars produce, on average, six tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, almost three times more than the most efficient, comfortable five-seaters coming into the country," she said.

"Why were all these gas-guzzlers, the worst ones, purchased since the Government announced the ratification of Kyoto in 2002 and since the start of its own [fuel conservation] programme in 2003?"

The whole fleet of 85 executive-type vehicles added about 200 tonnes of damaging greenhouse gases into the atmosphere each year, she said.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen said he expected the Government's programme would be reflected "over time" but he did not have much reassurance for Ms Fitzsimons.

"The fleet is doing much better in actual performance than it is rated for in the information the member is referring to," he said. "I shall take this up with the Prime Minister, myself preferring to ride in smaller cars than Ford Fairlanes."

He believed there was only one LTD left in the fleet, some cars ran on LPG and some were Holdens.

Ms Fitzsimons later disputed that, and said none of the vehicles was listed as running on LPG.

"In an age when everyone is thinking about how we are going to prepared for the end of cheap oil and the impacts of climate change it is shocking that our own Government would be driving us even faster to the brink.

"The Government has no excuses. It's own fuelsaver website indicates that its ministerial chauffeur-driven cars are made up of some of the thirstiest types of cars in the country."

Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven, who collects old Porsches, said he was a VW man. "Always have been ... very fuel efficient."

Mr Dynhoven also said some government cars ran on LPG and some were hybrids. "Probably lean-burn diesel is the way to go."

David Parker, the minister responsible for climate change policy, admitted the big Holden he was driving wasn't the greenest car on the road.

The minister said the Government planned to review all its vehicle fleets.

"The next time I choose a car - yes, I'll be looking for one that's more fuel efficient.'

- NZPA