Environment minister puts plug before pump

MARTIN DE RUYTER/The Nelson Mail

PLUG FIRST: Nelson MP Nick Smith's new car is green in more ways than one, and he's proud of it.

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Nelson MP Nick Smith's new car is green in more ways than one, and he's proud of it.

All Crown ministers are entitled to a state-owned, self-drive car. Dr Smith, being environment minister and an enthusiast of new sustainable technologies, requested a fully electric car and was supplied a Hyundai BEV Getz.

Only three of the cars had been sold nationwide prior to their official launch earlier this month.

The "Nana-car", as Dr Smith's son calls it, is quite a change to the loudly sign-written Honda CRV that people are used to seeing Dr Smith driving around Nelson.

He said he would retain that vehicle for transporting his kayaks, towing his caravan to the Saturday market and trips further afield, but the electric car was ideal for short trips around Nelson.

"It feels good to be driving a car with no exhaust pipe that zips around Nelson very efficiently. The biggest adjustment has been ignoring petrol stations and remembering to plug it in overnight."

The new five-seater car travels at up to 100km per hour and takes up to six hours to recharge using a standard 240 volt, three-pin household plug.

"I can recharge this car between midnight and 6am when 100 per cent of electricity is renewable by using a simple timer and ensure my motoring is pollution free."

A fully charged battery pack gives the car a range of up to 120km.

"The big environmental gains from electric cars are that they are so much more energy efficient, have zero emissions and are much quieter than conventional cars."

The car cost $45,736 excluding GST. Ministerial Services was unable to say at short notice yesterday which makes and models of car other ministers were driving.

All ministers' self-drive vehicles were chosen according to a range of criteria which sees them costing no more than $40,000 over a five-year period when factors such as intended usage, fuel efficiency and depreciation were taken into account, a Ministerial Services spokesman said.

Dr Smith acknowledged that electric cars were still unaffordable for most people but said the Government was keen to encourage cleaner technology. Officials were working on making electric cars exempt from road-user charges, he said.

"I see electric vehicles as being part of the long-term solution to help New Zealand make the transition to a low-carbon economy and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels."

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