Six Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Electric Hybrids have joined the fleet, with three to be based in Orange.

The four-wheel-drive hybrids have an effective range of 52 kilometres when using the battery, but can extend that with a petrol engine.

NSW energy minister Don Harwin said the addition to the fleet was part of a drive towards less carbon emissions in the state.

“It’s only a small step, but it’s a significant step,” Mr Harwin said.

“Regional NSW wants to be part of the move towards a lower emissions future, if you look at the take up of [solar] PV panels, regional NSW is leading.”

Mr Harwin said previous hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius, had been closely identified with the city.

“The NSW government, with these three SUVs for the DPI is showing there’s a capacity for regional NSW to have a future where electric vehicles are viable,” he said.

The cars will be held on a three year lease. When not used, the vehicles will be stored – and charged - in the DPI’s basement car park.

As well as the DPI’s Orange office, government offices in Sydney can also offer charging points.

Mr Harwin said adding additional charge points in government offices and ways to encourage businesses around the state to offer charge points was under consideration.

“We hope to roll out a strategy to support that, but as I said it’s a small step today, but it’s an important step,” he said.

Western NSW and natural resources parliamentary secretary Rick Colless said with the DPI involved with the management of carbon on farms, the cars were an important step forward.

“It’s appropriate that the DPI use these vehicles, they work in the bush all the time, they’re off-road a lot of time,” Mr Colless said.

Mr Colless said while the battery could travel 52 kilometres on a full-charge, the battery also recharged when being driven. 

“Not only can they be recharged when operating on the internal combustion engine, they also recharge when you’re braking or when you take your foot off the accelerator,” he said.

“In any normal driving situation, it’s quite likely you’ll be able to drive a lot further than 52 kilometres, given that battery is being recharged every time you’re decelerating.”