Queensland Scraps EV Mandate for Public Fleet

Government Shifts Focus to Overall Emissions Reduction

Queensland’s government is abandoning a previous directive requiring electric vehicles for a portion of its public servant fleet, opting instead for a broader strategy aimed at lowering overall tailpipe emissions. The change reflects a recalibration of priorities toward measurable outcomes rather than specific vehicle types.

New Emissions Target Set

Sam O’Connor, Queensland’s Public Works Minister, will today unveil a new plan for QFleet, which manages over 11,000 vehicles. The previous Labor administration had mandated that all “eligible” passenger vehicles be zero-emission by 2026, impacting roughly 3,600 vehicles. Now, the focus shifts to a 10 percent reduction in QFleet’s total tailpipe emissions by 2030.

O’Connor emphasized a results-oriented approach. “We’re not here to tick boxes — we’re here to focus on outcomes,” he stated. “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.”

The revised strategy allows for a wider range of vehicles, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids, alongside fully electric models. Each government agency will be held accountable for reducing its emissions.

Fleet Expansion Planned

The government intends to increase the overall size of the QFleet by approximately 9 percent during the same period emissions are targeted for reduction. As of June 2024, the fleet’s tailpipe emissions totaled 33.19 kilotonnes, with a goal of lowering that to 29.86 kilotonnes by 2030.

The policy shift comes in response to feedback from government agencies, particularly those in regional areas. The new strategy will monitor total fleet emissions reduction, rather than simply tracking the number of electric vehicles introduced. According to the International Energy Agency, global EV sales are projected to reach 14 million in 2024, representing a 25% increase from the previous year. (IEA Global EV Outlook 2024)

Previous Mandate Details

The earlier plan, implemented by the former Labor government, aimed to reduce fleet emissions to 26.7 kilotonnes by 2025-26. It also projected potential cost savings for taxpayers through reduced fuel expenses and maintenance associated with electric vehicles. The mandate required replacing vehicles with zero-emission alternatives upon lease expiration, provided suitable charging infrastructure was available.

“The [emissions reduction] strategy will mean for the first time the progress of total fleet emissions reduction is being monitored rather than just the number of EVs introduced,”

“This expansion of scope will provide the government with a more accurate account of its progress towards net zero emission targets.”

Queensland has a broader goal of achieving net zero emissions across the state by 2050. QFleet currently operates over 2,000 electric vehicles. The new strategy also emphasizes “thoughtful vehicle selection” and “responsible driving behaviour” as key components of emissions reduction.