The Queensland Government has released a new QFleet Emissions Reduction Strategy in a bid to make measurable progress towards Net Zero by cutting emissions across the entire Government vehicle fleet.
The Government says Labor’s EV-only policy mandated 100% of ‘eligible’ passenger vehicles transition to electric by 2026 — a policy that, in reality, only covered around 3,600 vehicles across Government.
“Unlike the previous mandate, we’re reducing QFleet’s tailpipe emissions in a practical, sustainable way, which responds to feedback from public servants across Queensland,” said Minister for Public Works, Sam O’Connor.
“QFleet is leading by example to help Queensland achieve Net Zero.”
QFleet operates more than 11,000 vehicles that are vital to frontline service delivery across Queensland – from nurses to child safety and housing officers, QBuild tradies, and youth justice workers.
The changes will see emissions reduced to their lowest ever levels, the Minister said.
The updated policy allows for fit-for-purpose vehicle choices – whether that be electric, hybrid or other low-emissions options.
The new approach also provides more time for agencies to install charging infrastructure and gives them greater flexibility to manage their fleets while still delivering on a 10% tailpipe emissions reduction target by 2030.
Minister O’Connor said the new strategy sets a clear and achievable target to cut total QFleet emissions by 10% – or 3.33 kilotonnes – by 2030.
“This represents around 63% reduction in emissions from what QFleet’s emissions were in 2005,” he said.
“We’re not here to tick boxes – we’re here to focus on outcomes. We’ve laid out a genuine pathway to reduce tailpipe emissions and better support the hardworking public servants who rely on QFleet to get them to where they need to be.”
For the first time, the focus will be on the tailpipe emission reduction of the whole QFleet Government fleet and every agency will be held accountable for reducing their pollution, said Mr O’Connor.
