Government does not have to drive sustainably until 2028: ‘Comfort still leaves a lot to be desired’ | Inland

That is remarkable for a self-proclaimed very ‘green’ cabinet. The CDA minister acknowledges that currently only 2 of the cabinet’s 31 official cars are fully electrically powered. “Currently, two ministers are driven in a zero-emission official car. In addition, 20 semi-electric vehicles are used for the transport of ministers.” These are vehicles that are powered by a petrol and electric motor.

No more sustainable

According to Bruins Slot, the choice has now been made not to make it more sustainable. “The sustainability task of the national vehicle fleet must, however, take into account current contracts for the vehicle fleet and the efficient use of resources. In view of the foregoing, I see no reason to tighten up the guidelines at the moment.”

She also complains about the comfort. “The range on the market of zero-emission cars that meet the desired layout (such as sufficient leg and headroom and an ergonomically adjustable seat) is currently still limited.”

‘There aren’t any cars? come on now’

“Those cars aren’t there? Come on now”, responds Auke Hoekstra, research leader electromobility and energy transition at Eindhoven University of Technology, bewildered. “Until a few years ago you only had the Tesla Model S in that class and it is indeed low in the back. Now you have so many different over electric representative electric cars, also SUVs. BMW alone has several electric models that are ministerial. And Mercedes or an Audi e-tron. You can enjoy working in the back. I think this is really strange of the cabinet.”

The minister says it is also difficult for security reasons. “For example, under all circumstances, an official car must be able to drive immediately away from the location where the minister is at that time. As a result, a large battery with high charging speeds is necessary.” Armor also plays a role, she says. “These applications lead to an increase in the weight of the car. As a result, a larger engine power or a different engine type or drive is necessary to be able to deliver the same performance.”

’Walk the talk’

“That those cars are not available is really complete nonsense,” says Maarten van Biezen, board member of the Association of Eelectric Drivers. “I can imagine that it may still be difficult with armored vehicles, but for the rest all accessories are available and the range is no longer a problem. There are ministers in the class, for example Mercedes, but also other luxury brands, cars that you can adjust completely to your liking and have a range of 600 kilometers. The cabinet itself encourages everyone to drive emission-free, but does not set a good example. Walk the talk, I would say.”

Yet apparently two ministers can already drive fully electric. “A number of newly appointed ministers have indicated that they want to drive zero emissions,” Bruins Slot acknowledges. According to her, this is sometimes not possible due to security measures or current contracts. “In principle, ministers receive the official car of their predecessor if the contract has not yet expired.”

17 percent

A letter from the minister to the House of Representatives shows that not all other cars of the central government are nearly as green. “At the end of 2021, the civil vehicle fleet of the national government consisted of 17 percent (2,330 of the 13,900 passenger and delivery vans) zero-emission vehicles.” In her defense she argues that it is not easy for Defense to use electric cars due to the specific requirements.

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