National Headquarters
Level 12
80 The Terrace
PO Box 2133
Wellington
New Zealand
Phone +64 4 496 3600
1 February 2022
John Homer
By email: [FYI request #18228 email]
Dear John
Information Request – Hybrids or Electric Fire Engines
I refer to your official information request dated 18 January 2022 asking for the following
information:
I ask for information regarding converting the fleet of vehicles to hybrids, electric or
hydrogen based?
Your request has been considered in accordance with the provisions of the Official Information Act
1982, and Fire and Emergency’s response is as follows.
We are identifying options to migrate our fleet to low-emission alternatives where available and
where we are confident they can meet Fire and Emergency’s unique operational requirements.
The EV (electric vehicle) fire truck market is relatively new and continues to develop. We closely
monitor what alternative options might become available for Fire and Emergency by way of fire
trucks over the medium-to-long term.
As an emergency service it is essential our emergency response vehicles, including our fire trucks,
can operate during all major emergencies including those resulting in power outages. Therefore,
the resilience of the power supply and the availability of emergency power supply is an important
factor for us when considering how quickly we can migrate to low-emission alternatives.
Fire and Emergency is seeking ways to reduce our carbon emissions. Last year, we contracted
Toitū Envirocare to complete an emissions inventory baseline and set goals to manage our
emissions; this found 26% of our carbon emissions came from our fire trucks, and a further 16%
from our fleet of utes, cars and SUVs.
We are considering what role our fleet and fuel (diesel, petrol, LPG and propane) use might have
in reducing our carbon emissions. Our fleet target is aligned with Fire and Emergency’s overall goal
to reduce gross emissions by 10% by June 2025.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is availab
le at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Raewyn Bleakley
Deputy Chief Executive, Office of the Chief Executive
