Green Transport

Transport in New Zealand makes up about 20% of New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions each year and these add $1bn to health costs. We can all take action to reduce transport emissions for a better more affordable NZ. Greener options can also bring financial savings and some great health benefits! For car sharing information check out active transport.

Reduce flying

Reducing the number of flights you take is one of the most effective climate change actions you can take.

Investigate relaxing ‘stay-cations’ or local holiday options exploring our beautiful country as an alternative to holidaying overseas. You’ll get to avoid airport queues and flight costs as a bonus!

There’s now a wide range of free online tools that let you speak with and see family and friends overseas in ‘real time’ instead of flying. Check out Skype, Facetime, Google Hangouts, Zoom or JoinMe as options.

Need to get somewhere within New Zealand? If you build in the extra time, catching a bus or train instead of flying can be a good way to read a book, enjoy the scenery, or work on a laptop while you travel. Or for a group trip, sports event or conference you may be able to find others who are able to share the drive with carpooling, to avoid many flights for a large group.

When you do fly, offset your flights. High quality carbon offsets counteract the impact of emissions from flights you do still need to make.

Investigate low emission vehicles

When buying a new car, look into the benefits of an electric vehicle (EV). EV’s save 80% of the carbon dioxide emissions of petrol vehicles when charged in New Zealand, so this is a key way to reduce your contribution to climate change. With no air pollution from exhaust fumes, and fewer climate change emissions over their full production and use, and no reliance on imported fossil fuels, EVs are also a good option for health and resilience.

Purchase costs have also come down for EVs, and when you look at the savings in fuel, maintenance and fuel charges over their lifetime, they can save you thousands of dollars.

Charging an EV costs the equivalent of 30 cents per litre for petrol - at least a $1.70 saving per kilometre driven, and approximately 15% of the cost of running an equivalent-sized petrol vehicle. Learn more at the Energy Wise, Electric Vehicles or EV Talk price guide websites.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles with a petrol or diesel engine and a battery or onboard electric motor are now available, providing greater range.

Hybrid engine cars are also an option to reduce emissions. Their battery is charged by the combustion engine, as well as when the vehicle brakes, with the battery used when the vehicle is pulling away from a stop or accelerating.

If an EV, plug in hybrid or hybrid vehicle isn’t feasible for you at this point, prioritise a small cylinder efficient vehicle, and avoid a second vehicle in your household if you can. List high fuel economy ratings and engine size information on the Right Car website.

Local suppliers and groups:

Try an e-bike

E-bikes can reduce (or replace) use of your car when you’re travelling up hills or over longer distances, given you’ll have the boost of a battery, and won’t get so hot and sweaty.

Check out the free Consumer overview of e-bikes to learn more about e-bike and battery types, considerations for your riding needs, and ratings of available options from their rider tests.

Local suppliers:

Use hybrid taxis or start car sharing

When ordering a taxi, make a point of asking for an electric or hybrid car. This reduces the carbon footprint of your trip, but also supports taxi companies and drivers who are choosing environmentally preferable vehicles for their fleet.

Car sharing with colleagues and friends is a low cost and immediate opportunity to start making an impact.

If you know of other stockists/retailers/suppliers/services or all round fantastic sustainable sources please let us know so that we can include them here.