The new pool fleet - comprising two Honda Civic Hybrids and five Citroen C3s - will lead to a significant reduction in the CO2 emissions from business journeys made by staff.
In its Energy White Paper the government made a commitment to achieve an average carbon performance of 130 g/km CO2 or lower for new cars in the government fleet by 2010/11. Taking action to meet this commitment will make a significant contribution to the target of a 15 per cent reduction in carbon emissions from road transport across government by 2010/11.
Jonathan Blackie, Regional Director for Government Office for the North East, said:
"The current Act on CO2 climate change campaign is a very strong indication of the importance ministers place on reducing CO2 emissions from cars and our sustainability targets required us to reduce carbon emissions from our pool car fleet.
"Reducing CO2 emissions from our pool cars is something that we can easily control and we took the opportunity of our fleet being in need of renewal to do that. Over the next three years we hope to achieve a 30 per cent reduction in emissions compared to the old fleet."
The vehicles forming the current pool car fleet used by Government Office for the North East produce CO2 emissions of between 125 and 197 g/km compared to only 109 and 120 g/km for the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Citroen C3. Based on current usage, a 30 per cent reduction in emissions is expected over the three-year period of the new contract.
The Honda Hybrid has an Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system. It combines a 1.4i-DSI petrol engine and an electric motor, installed between the engine and transmission. The electric motor boosts the engine during acceleration, improving fuel economy and lowering emissions. When the car is idle in traffic the engine switches off and the electric motor keeps the car running, pressing the accelerator restarts the engine.
The Citroen C3 was chosen because of its low emissions and its passenger and load capacity fitted well with Government Office for the North East's business needs.
