Police to get 45 electric vehicles, all coal boilers phased out in schools

Police will get 45 electric cars and all coal boilers will be removed from schools.

The projects are being announced this afternoon as the Government invests $22.92 million in new decarbonisation initiatives.

Along with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Climate Change Minister James Shaw and Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods unveiled 19 new projects today.

Police will invest $1.7m to buy 45 electric vehicles and install charging infrastructure.

Climate Change Minister James Shaw says the new projects will help reduce emissions and have positive impacts on health and the climate. Photo / Mark Mitchell

And Shaw said woody biomass or electric heating sources in schools will replace coal boilers.

He said the boiler project will cost $10m and cut carbon emissions by about 35,400 tonnes over a decade.

The PM said the additional funding meant by 2025 all coal boilers will be removed from the education system nationwide.

"We do need to modernise our infrastructure. We need to make sure we're using efficient means to heat our schools," Ardern added.

She said coal boilers had no place in the future of schools.

Police in March announced the trial of a Skoda Superb iV plug-in electric hybrid car. Photo / NZ Police

"This investment means more young people will be kept warm and healthy at school, using clean, green, low-carbon energy," Shaw added.

The Ministry of Education has described boiler heating systems as a safe, low-cost method of heating schools.

The two main teachers' unions have been pushing for the dirty boilers to go and welcomed the move, but want the Government to move faster and get rid of all fossil fuels from schools.

Liam Rutherford, president of NZEI Te Riu Roa, said it would still leave about 700 school boilers in Aotearoa fuelled by oil, gas and diesel.

NZEI recognised today's announcement was part of a broader decarbonisation initiative, but it was important that learning environments reflected the future we wanted for our tamariki, Rutherford said.

Melanie Webber, president of the secondary teachers' union PPTA Te Wehengarua, said it was great students and teachers would be able to work in safe and healthy learning environments and called the move a "sound investment" in young people's future.

"However, we would love to see this happen sooner than 2025, given the urgency of the climate crisis."

Both unions - which belong to the Fossil Free State Sector coalition - challenged all political parties to commit to funding all schools to run on 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025.

More EVs and fuel-efficient vehicles

Other new projects include a Kāinga Ora investment in electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure for 141 vehicles.

The PM said the Government fleet was moving to more electric and fuel-efficient vehicles.

She said it was important for the Government to "walk the talk" on climate change.

"It's in every aspect of the way we operate as a Government."

Some of the vehicles were leased, so on the expiry of the lease the cars will be available for members of the public to buy.

Ardern said upfront costs for the cars were significant but there were useful long-term savings.

"Ultimately an EV is better for your pocket and the environment."

TVNZ will invest $57,000 on EVs and charging infrastructure for two vehicles.

The Ministry of Social Development will invest $3.37m to buy EVs and install charging infrastructure for 109 cars.

The Bay of Plenty, Capital & Coast, Wairarapa, MidCentral and Southern DHBs will also invest in projects including electric cars, a heat pump and more efficient lighting.

The Department of Corrections will buy 24 EVs, WorkSafe will buy 18 and both will invest in charging infrastructure.

The University of Waikato will spend $80,000 to replace two gas boilers at its Student Village accommodation in Hamilton.

NorthTec: Tai Tokerau Wānanga will install efficient lighting.

Lincoln University will buy two EVs and so will Landcare Research.

The projects announced today are part of a new allocation from the Government's $220m State Sector Decarbonisation Fund.

New Zealand emitted 82.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2019, according to Stats NZ.