Motor vehicle purchases

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade purchases motor vehicles to facilitate the efficient functioning and smooth operations of HQ and its Missions abroad. In particular, Mission staff are required to undertake a significant volume of travel in the performance of their official functions. This ranges from city journeys during the working day and in the evening, to long journeys of up to several hundred miles by road. As well as demanding schedules, in many cases there are also issues related to limited availability of public transport, security considerations and location. Official vehicles also provide an important logistical support to Missions.

Motor vehicles are used for as long as they can be operated in a safe and efficient manner without excessive maintenance costs or substantial reduction in their trade-in value. In general, sanction to replace an official vehicle will be given only where the vehicle is old; where there are security, safety or environmental considerations; where there is a business requirement for the purchase or replacement; or the cost of maintenance/operating are increasing to an extent that maintaining the vehicle is no longer economical. When sanctioning the purchase of vehicles for Missions abroad, consideration is given to the climate, terrain, safety and security issues which prevail in the country as well as environmental considerations.

Vehicle purchases must comply with the Department’s Green Foreign Ministry policy of minimising our carbon footprint. The Department is committed to procuring vehicles with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life-cycle and focuses on more fuel-efficient models. Factors like pollutant emissions, fuel efficiency and noise levels are taken into account when considering vehicle specifications. The procurement process initially reviews the feasibility of electric vehicles. Then it considers hybrid options and finally vehicles with low carbon emissions. It should be noted that some our Missions operate in difficult environments where security and health and safety issues will be a significant factor when deciding on an official vehicle.