8  Freight transport emission factors

We provide emission factors for freighting goods (in tonne kilometres, tkm) and for the actual freight vehicles (in km). We provide freight vehicle emission factors (in km) for road light commercial and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). Users should note that these are average emission factors for certain vehicle categories of the New Zealand vehicle fleet. The actual emissions for a specific vehicle in a specific trip could be different.

8.1 Overview of changes since previous update

Table 8.1: Summary of changes to freight emission factors
Domain Emission factors Size of change Explanation for change
Freight All electric, PHEV light commercial vehicles, Electric heavy goods vehicles 39.10% The change in all-electric, PHEV light commercial vehicles and Electric heavy goods vehicles, is driven by the increase in the latest annual electricity factor, which is used to derive these emissions factors.
Air freight and International sea freight Minor The Air freight and International sea freight emission factors were updated using factors from DESNZ 2024.

8.2 Road freight

Entities freighting goods through third-party providers can categorise road freight emissions as indirect (Scope 3). We generated emission factors for freight vehicles (in km travelled) and an average emission factor for freighting goods by road in tkm. Where the entity’s goods are only part of the load, the tkm emission factor should be used as the way of allocating emissions between the different goods on the same truck. Downstream and upstream transportation and distribution can also be considered.Refer to the GHG Protocol.

The three road freight emission factors provided in tkm are for urban delivery heavy trucks, long-haul heavy trucks and all trucks. Urban delivery heavy trucks include vans and road user charge (RUC) type 2 trucks, such as those powered vehicles with two axles. Please note these trucks could carry trailers and most of their travel would be for urban delivery. Long-haul heavy trucks include other RUC types, such as those powered vehicles with three or more axles. Most of them would be used for relatively long-distance travel. The emission factor for ‘all trucks’ should be used for a large fleet with a good mix of small and large trucks. Users should be aware that the emission behaviour of individual vehicles could vary greatly.

Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport’s Vehicle Fleet Emissions Model provided the real-world fuel consumption rates of the vehicle fleet. We decided to split the fleet into three categories and develop average emission factors for these.

  • Pre-2010 fleet is based on the average fuel consumption data from 1970 to 2010. We assume there are no electric vehicles or diesel hybrids.

  • 2010–2015 fleet is based on the average fuel consumption data from vehicles produced between 2010 and 2015.

  • Post-2015 fleet is based on the average fuel consumption data from vehicles produced from 2015 onwards.

8.2.0.1 TONNE KILOMETRES (TKM)

A tkm is the distance travelled multiplied by the weight of freight carried by the Light Commercial Vehicle or Heavy Goods Vehicle. For example, a Heavy Goods Vehicle carrying 5 tonnes freight over 100 km has a tkm value of 500 tkm. The carbon emissions are calculated from these factors by multiplying the number of tkm the user has for the distance and weight of the goods being moved, by the emission factors provided in Table 8.11.

8.2.1 Light commercial vehicle emission factors

Table 8.2: Emission factors for light commercial vehicles manufactured pre-2010
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e) Uncertainties
Pre 2010 Fleet
Diesel hybrid: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.1919217402 0.1889576639 0.0002832564 0.0026808198
Diesel hybrid: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.2554898405 0.2515440063 0.0003770763 0.0035687579
Diesel hybrid: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.273950743 0.269719795 0.0004043227 0.0038266253
Diesel hybrid: <1350 cc km 0.1994377945 0.1963576389 0.0002943493 0.0027858063
Diesel hybrid: ≥3000 cc km 0.2773983583 0.2731141647 0.000409411 0.0038747826
Diesel: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.2140959651 0.2107894259 0.0003159833 0.002990556
Diesel: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.285008587 0.2806068596 0.0004206429 0.0039810846
Diesel: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.3056024225 0.3008826399 0.0004510372 0.0042687454
Diesel: <1350 cc km 0.2224804082 0.219044378 0.0003283578 0.0031076724
Diesel: ≥3000 cc km 0.3094483678 0.3046691877 0.0004567135 0.0043224667
Petrol hybrid: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.1811448791 0.1735433637 0.0023074245 0.0052940908
Petrol hybrid: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.2444085155 0.2341522219 0.003113277 0.0071430166
Petrol hybrid: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.2585373943 0.2476882002 0.0032932508 0.0075559434
Petrol hybrid: <1350 cc km 0.1687030305 0.1616236216 0.0021489402 0.0049304688
Petrol hybrid: ≥3000 cc km 0.2952303035 0.2828413379 0.0037606453 0.0086283203
Petrol: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.2294501801 0.2198215941 0.0029227377 0.0067058484
Petrol: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.3095841196 0.2965928144 0.0039434843 0.009047821
Petrol: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.3274806995 0.3137383869 0.004171451 0.0095708616
Petrol: <1350 cc km 0.2136905054 0.2047232541 0.0027219909 0.0062452604
Petrol: ≥3000 cc km 0.3739583844 0.3582656946 0.004763484 0.0109292057
Table 8.3: Emission factors for light commercial vehicles manufactured between 2010 and 2015
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e) Uncertainties
2010–2015 Fleet
Diesel hybrid: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.1701406787 0.1675129934 0.0002511099 0.0023765755
Diesel hybrid: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.2264944807 0.2229964564 0.0003342822 0.0031637421
Diesel hybrid: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.2428602685 0.2391094878 0.0003584364 0.0033923443
Diesel hybrid: <1350 cc km 0.1768037414 0.1740731504 0.0002609438 0.0024696471
Diesel hybrid: ≥3000 cc km 0.2459166164 0.2421186329 0.0003629472 0.0034350363
Diesel: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.1896759937 0.1867466012 0.0002799419 0.0026494506
Diesel: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.2525002605 0.2486005979 0.000372664 0.0035269986
Diesel: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.2707451452 0.2665637051 0.0003995915 0.0037818486
Diesel: <1350 cc km 0.1971041 0.1940599863 0.0002909051 0.0027532086
Diesel: ≥3000 cc km 0.2741524187 0.269918356 0.0004046203 0.0038294424
Electric vehicle: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0247218571 0.0240079942 0.000667526 0.0000463369
Electric vehicle: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.0279698734 0.0271622215 0.0007552271 0.0000524247
Electric vehicle: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.0344485331 0.033453805 0.0009301603 0.0000645679
Electric vehicle: <1350 cc km 0.0230238483 0.0223590167 0.0006216773 0.0000431543
Electric vehicle: ≥3000 cc km 0.0402682137 0.0391054377 0.0010873001 0.0000754759
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0890402885 0.0876651332 0.0001314142 0.0012437412
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.1185321116 0.1167014788 0.000174941 0.0016556917
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.1270968739 0.1251339653 0.0001875817 0.0017753269
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: <1350 cc km 0.0925272914 0.0910982821 0.0001365606 0.0012924487
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: ≥3000 cc km 0.1286963626 0.1267087512 0.0001899424 0.001797669
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0106919653 0.0103832265 0.0002886986 0.0000200403
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.0117150818 0.0113767997 0.0003163242 0.0000219579
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.0132597709 0.0128768847 0.000358033 0.0000248532
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: <1350 cc km 0.0111320508 0.0108106042 0.0003005815 0.0000208651
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: ≥3000 cc km 0.0156828477 0.0152299933 0.0004234596 0.0000293948
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0117840852 0.0114438106 0.0003181874 0.0000220872
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.0133323063 0.0129473256 0.0003599916 0.0000249891
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.0164204675 0.0159463137 0.0004433764 0.0000307774
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: <1350 cc km 0.010974701 0.010657798 0.0002963328 0.0000205702
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: ≥3000 cc km 0.0191945152 0.0186402586 0.0005182797 0.0000359768
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0839862797 0.0804619019 0.0010698177 0.0024545601
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.1133179258 0.1085626826 0.0014434444 0.0033117988
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.11986866 0.1148385236 0.0015268877 0.0035032488
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: <1350 cc km 0.0782177227 0.0749354151 0.0009963378 0.0022859698
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: ≥3000 cc km 0.1368810147 0.1311369764 0.0017435911 0.0040004472
Petrol hybrid: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.1604833371 0.1537488572 0.0020442377 0.0046902422
Petrol hybrid: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.2165310683 0.2074446164 0.002758174 0.0063282779
Petrol hybrid: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.229048395 0.2194366693 0.0029176197 0.0066941059
Petrol hybrid: <1350 cc km 0.1494606166 0.1431886912 0.0019038302 0.0043680952
Petrol hybrid: ≥3000 cc km 0.2615560791 0.2505802097 0.0033317028 0.0076441666
Petrol: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.2032788936 0.1947485525 0.0025893677 0.0059409735
Petrol: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.2742726865 0.2627631808 0.003493687 0.0080158187
Petrol: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.2901279669 0.2779531144 0.0036956517 0.0084792008
Petrol: <1350 cc km 0.189316781 0.1813723422 0.0024115182 0.0055329206
Petrol: ≥3000 cc km 0.3313043669 0.3174015989 0.0042201569 0.0096826111
Table 8.4: Emission factors for light commercial vehicles manufactured between 2015 and 2020
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e) Uncertainties
2015–2020 Fleet
Diesel hybrid: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.1615971001 0.1591013634 0.0002385004 0.0022572363
Diesel hybrid: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.2151211077 0.2117987359 0.0003174963 0.0030048755
Diesel hybrid: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.2306650909 0.2271026549 0.0003404376 0.0032219985
Diesel hybrid: <1350 cc km 0.1679255785 0.1653321036 0.0002478406 0.0023456343
Diesel hybrid: ≥3000 cc km 0.2335679649 0.2299606964 0.0003447219 0.0032625467
Diesel: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.1796210944 0.1768469916 0.000265102 0.0025090008
Diesel: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.2391149888 0.2354220509 0.0003529087 0.0033400291
Diesel: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.2563926954 0.2524329173 0.0003784088 0.0035813693
Diesel: <1350 cc km 0.1866554299 0.1837726875 0.0002754839 0.0026072585
Diesel: ≥3000 cc km 0.2596193461 0.255609735 0.000383171 0.0036264401
Electric vehicle: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0238448895 0.0231563498 0.0006438466 0.0000446932
Electric vehicle: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.0269776877 0.026198686 0.0007284367 0.0000505651
Electric vehicle: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.0332265276 0.0322670857 0.0008971644 0.0000622774
Electric vehicle: <1350 cc km 0.0222071148 0.0215658671 0.0005996243 0.0000416234
Electric vehicle: ≥3000 cc km 0.0388397644 0.037718236 0.0010487299 0.0000727985
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0845691491 0.0832630469 0.0001248152 0.001181287
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.1125800464 0.1108413385 0.0001661564 0.0015725515
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.1207147309 0.1188503894 0.0001781623 0.0016861792
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: <1350 cc km 0.0878810528 0.0865238009 0.0001297033 0.0012275486
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: ≥3000 cc km 0.1222339017 0.1203460978 0.0001804045 0.0017073994
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0103126852 0.0100148984 0.0002784574 0.0000193294
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.0112995083 0.0109732262 0.0003051031 0.000021179
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.0127894022 0.0124200982 0.0003453324 0.0000239715
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: <1350 cc km 0.0107371594 0.0104271156 0.0002899189 0.000020125
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: ≥3000 cc km 0.0151265243 0.0146897341 0.0004084381 0.0000283521
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.011366064 0.01103786 0.0003069002 0.0000213037
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.0128593645 0.0124880403 0.0003472215 0.0000241027
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.0158379781 0.0153806442 0.0004276484 0.0000296856
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: <1350 cc km 0.0105853914 0.01027973 0.0002858209 0.0000198405
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: ≥3000 cc km 0.018513621 0.0179790258 0.0004998946 0.0000347006
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0795340896 0.0761965423 0.0010131057 0.0023244416
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.107310838 0.1028076747 0.0013669261 0.0031362373
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.1135143118 0.1087508276 0.0014459459 0.0033175383
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: <1350 cc km 0.0740713291 0.0709630196 0.000943521 0.0021647885
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: ≥3000 cc km 0.1296248259 0.1241852843 0.0016511618 0.0037883798
Petrol hybrid: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.1519759674 0.1455984885 0.0019358707 0.0044416082
Petrol hybrid: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.2050525567 0.196447786 0.0026119606 0.0059928101
Petrol hybrid: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.2169063283 0.2078041291 0.002762954 0.0063392452
Petrol hybrid: <1350 cc km 0.1415375715 0.1355981266 0.0018029064 0.0041365385
Petrol hybrid: ≥3000 cc km 0.2476907501 0.2372967216 0.0031550862 0.0072389423
Petrol: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.192502892 0.1844247521 0.0024521029 0.005626037
Petrol: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.2597332385 0.2488338622 0.0033084835 0.0075908928
Petrol: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.2747480159 0.2632185635 0.0034997418 0.0080297106
Petrol: <1350 cc km 0.1792809239 0.1717576271 0.0022836814 0.0052396154
Petrol: ≥3000 cc km 0.3137416168 0.3005758474 0.0039964425 0.0091693269
Table 8.5: Emission factors for light commercial vehicles manufactured after 2020
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e) Uncertainties
Post 2020 Fleet
Diesel hybrid: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.1551980033 0.1528010955 0.000229056 0.0021678518
Diesel hybrid: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.2066025093 0.2034117004 0.0003049237 0.0028858852
Diesel hybrid: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.221530965 0.2181095982 0.0003269566 0.0030944103
Diesel hybrid: <1350 cc km 0.1612758797 0.158785104 0.0002380263 0.0022527494
Diesel hybrid: ≥3000 cc km 0.2243188879 0.2208544638 0.0003310712 0.0031333528
Diesel: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.171701201 0.1690494147 0.000253413 0.0023983733
Diesel: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.2285718774 0.2250417694 0.0003373482 0.0031927598
Diesel: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.2450877715 0.2413025888 0.0003617239 0.0034234587
Diesel: <1350 cc km 0.178425377 0.1756697412 0.0002633372 0.0024922986
Diesel: ≥3000 cc km 0.2481721521 0.2443393336 0.0003662762 0.0034665423
Electric vehicle: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0232047837 0.0225347275 0.0006265628 0.0000434934
Electric vehicle: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.0262534833 0.0254953935 0.0007088821 0.0000492077
Electric vehicle: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.0323345757 0.0314008897 0.0008730804 0.0000606056
Electric vehicle: <1350 cc km 0.0216109743 0.0209869406 0.0005835276 0.0000405061
Electric vehicle: ≥3000 cc km 0.0377971277 0.0367057062 0.0010205772 0.0000708442
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0812202884 0.0799659066 0.0001198727 0.0011345091
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.1081219799 0.1064521232 0.0001595767 0.0015102799
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.1159345384 0.114144023 0.0001711073 0.001619408
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: <1350 cc km 0.0844010437 0.0830975378 0.0001245671 0.0011789388
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: ≥3000 cc km 0.1173935513 0.1155805027 0.0001732606 0.001639788
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0100358456 0.0097460528 0.0002709824 0.0000188105
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.0109961779 0.0106786547 0.0002969127 0.0000206105
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.0124460762 0.012086686 0.0003360621 0.000023328
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: <1350 cc km 0.010448925 0.0101472042 0.0002821361 0.0000195847
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: ≥3000 cc km 0.0147204592 0.0142953945 0.0003974737 0.000027591
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0110609469 0.0107415534 0.0002986616 0.0000207318
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.0125141604 0.0121528042 0.0003379005 0.0000234556
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.0154128144 0.0149677574 0.0004161683 0.0000288887
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: <1350 cc km 0.0103012311 0.010003775 0.0002781482 0.0000193079
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: ≥3000 cc km 0.0180166309 0.0174963866 0.0004864751 0.0000337691
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0762806973 0.0730796745 0.000971664 0.0022293589
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.1029212203 0.0986022617 0.0013110111 0.0030079475
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.1088709371 0.1043023062 0.0013867986 0.0031818323
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: <1350 cc km 0.0710413945 0.0680602324 0.0009049257 0.0020762364
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: ≥3000 cc km 0.1243224404 0.1191054067 0.0015836199 0.0036334137
Petrol hybrid: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.1457592943 0.1396426902 0.0018566827 0.0042599214
Petrol hybrid: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.1966647521 0.188411965 0.0025051167 0.0057476704
Petrol hybrid: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.2080336377 0.1993037697 0.0026499336 0.0060799343
Petrol hybrid: <1350 cc km 0.1357478876 0.1300513995 0.0017291574 0.0039673307
Petrol hybrid: ≥3000 cc km 0.2375588033 0.2275899491 0.0030260254 0.0069428288
Petrol: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.1831521734 0.1754664245 0.0023329934 0.0053527555
Petrol: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.247116844 0.2367468988 0.0031477758 0.0072221695
Petrol: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.2614022871 0.2504328714 0.0033297438 0.0076396719
Petrol: <1350 cc km 0.1705724549 0.1634145979 0.0021727529 0.004985104
Petrol: ≥3000 cc km 0.298501796 0.2859755464 0.0038023176 0.0087239321
Table 8.6: Default light commercial vehicle values (based on pre-2010 fleet and a 2000–3000 cc engine size)
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e)
Light Commercial Vehicle Default
Diesel km 0.3056024225 0.3008826399 0.0004510372 0.0042687454
Diesel Hybrid km 0.273950743 0.269719795 0.0004043227 0.0038266253
Petrol km 0.3274806995 0.3137383869 0.004171451 0.0095708616
Petrol Hybrid km 0.2585373943 0.2476882002 0.0032932508 0.0075559434

8.2.2 Heavy goods vehicles emission factors

Table 8.7 contains the default emission factors for heavy goods vehicles, based on a 2010–2015 fleet.

Table 8.7: Emission factors for heavy goods vehicles, based on a pre-2010 fleet
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e) Uncertainties
Pre 2010 Fleet
HGV diesel hybrid: 10,000 – 12,000 kg km 0.5943068902 0.5851283003 0.0008771349 0.0083014551
HGV diesel hybrid: 12,000 – 15,000 kg km 0.6752634445 0.6648345459 0.0009966183 0.0094322802
HGV diesel hybrid: 15,000 – 20,000 kg km 0.8897178929 0.8759769186 0.0013131306 0.0124278436
HGV diesel hybrid: 20,000 – 25,000 kg km 1.184324691 1.166033753 0.0017479395 0.0165429989
HGV diesel hybrid: 25,000 – 30,000 kg km 1.367683245 1.346560482 0.0020185576 0.0191042056
HGV diesel hybrid: 5,000 – 7,500 kg km 0.4098760646 0.4035458598 0.0006049342 0.0057252705
HGV diesel hybrid: 7,500 – 10,000 kg km 0.5012872732 0.4935452961 0.0007398476 0.0070021294
HGV diesel hybrid: < 5,000 kg km 0.3578708608 0.3523438344 0.00052818 0.0049988464
HGV diesel hybrid: ≥ 30,000 kg km 1.440865825 1.418612816 0.0021265674 0.0201264416
HGV diesel: 10,000 – 12,000 kg km 0.7374552345 0.726065834 0.0010884069 0.0103009936
HGV diesel: 12,000 – 15,000 kg km 0.8379807572 0.8250388212 0.001236772 0.011705164
HGV diesel: 15,000 – 20,000 kg km 0.978716489 0.9636010033 0.0014444833 0.0136710025
HGV diesel: 20,000 – 25,000 kg km 1.303078842 1.282953842 0.0019232082 0.0182017921
HGV diesel: 25,000 – 30,000 kg km 1.535493851 1.511779388 0.0022662285 0.0214482339
HGV diesel: 5,000 – 7,500 kg km 0.5085251108 0.5006713512 0.0007505299 0.0071032297
HGV diesel: 7,500 – 10,000 kg km 0.6219179004 0.6123128807 0.0009178858 0.0086871339
HGV diesel: < 5,000 kg km 0.4439207082 0.4370647114 0.0006551806 0.0062008162
HGV diesel: ≥ 30,000 kg km 1.535493851 1.511779388 0.0022662285 0.0214482339

Table 8.8 contains the default emission factors for heavy goods vehicles, based on a 2010–2015 fleet.

Table 8.8: Emission factors for heavy goods vehicles manufactured between 2010 and 2015
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e) Uncertainties
2010–2015 Fleet
HGV BEV: 10,000 – 12,000 kg km 0.0802141796 0.0778979327 0.0021658991 0.0001503477
HGV BEV: 12,000 – 15,000 kg km 0.0911495092 0.0885174963 0.0024611688 0.0001708441
HGV BEV: 5,000 – 7,500 kg km 0.0553295039 0.0537318215 0.0014939768 0.0001037057
HGV BEV: 7,500 – 10,000 kg km 0.0676467111 0.0656933597 0.0018265592 0.0001267922
HGV BEV: < 5,000 kg km 0.0482895454 0.0468951473 0.0013038877 0.0000905105
HGV diesel hybrid: 10,000 – 12,000 kg km 0.5632109952 0.5545126562 0.0008312406 0.0078670984
HGV diesel hybrid: 12,000 – 15,000 kg km 0.6401465286 0.6302599824 0.0009447894 0.0089417567
HGV diesel hybrid: 15,000 – 20,000 kg km 0.8672001758 0.8538069695 0.0012798969 0.0121133095
HGV diesel hybrid: 20,000 – 25,000 kg km 1.154301069 1.136473821 0.0017036278 0.01612362
HGV diesel hybrid: 25,000 – 30,000 kg km 1.332834397 1.312249846 0.0019671243 0.0186174265
HGV diesel hybrid: 5,000 – 7,500 kg km 0.3886986878 0.3826955505 0.0005736787 0.0054294587
HGV diesel hybrid: 7,500 – 10,000 kg km 0.4750166033 0.4676803555 0.0007010749 0.0066351729
HGV diesel hybrid: < 5,000 kg km 0.3391060966 0.3338688768 0.0005004852 0.0047367346
HGV diesel hybrid: ≥ 30,000 kg km 1.404140501 1.382454685 0.0020723647 0.0196134513
HGV diesel: 10,000 – 12,000 kg km 0.6972450254 0.6864766391 0.0010290608 0.0097393255
HGV diesel: 12,000 – 15,000 kg km 0.7950898675 0.7828103467 0.0011734696 0.0111060513
HGV diesel: 15,000 – 20,000 kg km 0.9540542274 0.9393196304 0.0014080844 0.0133265127
HGV diesel: 20,000 – 25,000 kg km 1.269838403 1.250226774 0.0018741488 0.0177374798
HGV diesel: 25,000 – 30,000 kg km 1.41808004 1.396178939 0.002092938 0.019808163
HGV diesel: 5,000 – 7,500 kg km 0.482790577 0.4753342665 0.0007125484 0.0067437621
HGV diesel: 7,500 – 10,000 kg km 0.5900178012 0.5809054528 0.0008708046 0.0082415438
HGV diesel: < 5,000 kg km 0.4214029912 0.4148947623 0.0006219468 0.0058862821
HGV diesel: ≥ 30,000 kg km 1.493943301 1.470870554 0.0022049042 0.0208678435

Table 8.9 contains the default emission factors for heavy goods vehicles, based on a post-2015 fleet.

Table 8.9: Emission factors for heavy goods vehicles manufactured post-2015
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e) Uncertainties
Post 2015 Fleet
HGV BEV: 10,000 – 12,000 kg km 0.0891583 0.0865837847 0.0024074033 0.000167112
HGV BEV: 12,000 – 15,000 kg km 0.100039225 0.0971505146 0.002701204 0.0001875064
HGV BEV: 5,000 – 7,500 kg km 0.0541217213 0.0525589145 0.0014613649 0.0001014419
HGV BEV: 7,500 – 10,000 kg km 0.0661777862 0.0642668512 0.0017868961 0.0001240389
HGV BEV: < 5,000 kg km 0.0472449766 0.0458807412 0.0012756828 0.0000885526
HGV diesel hybrid: 10,000 – 12,000 kg km 0.5495395241 0.54105233 0.0008110629 0.0076761312
HGV diesel hybrid: 12,000 – 15,000 kg km 0.624598581 0.6149521604 0.0009218422 0.0087245784
HGV diesel hybrid: 15,000 – 20,000 kg km 0.8650556313 0.8516955458 0.0012767317 0.0120833539
HGV diesel hybrid: 20,000 – 25,000 kg km 1.151620388 1.133834541 0.0016996714 0.0160861754
HGV diesel hybrid: 25,000 – 30,000 kg km 1.32961758 1.309082711 0.0019623766 0.0185724931
HGV diesel hybrid: 5,000 – 7,500 kg km 0.3790482376 0.3731941437 0.0005594356 0.0052946583
HGV diesel hybrid: 7,500 – 10,000 kg km 0.4634896767 0.4563314529 0.0006840623 0.0064741614
HGV diesel hybrid: < 5,000 kg km 0.3307959867 0.3256871098 0.0004882203 0.0046206565
HGV diesel hybrid: ≥ 30,000 kg km 1.400923684 1.37928755 0.002067617 0.0195685179
HGV diesel: 10,000 – 12,000 kg km 0.6892029836 0.6785588002 0.0010171916 0.0096269919
HGV diesel: 12,000 – 15,000 kg km 0.7832948729 0.7711975162 0.0011560614 0.0109412953
HGV diesel: 15,000 – 20,000 kg km 0.9516416149 0.9369442787 0.0014045236 0.0132928126
HGV diesel: 20,000 – 25,000 kg km 1.266889654 1.247323566 0.0018697968 0.0176962908
HGV diesel: 25,000 – 30,000 kg km 1.414595155 1.392747876 0.0020877946 0.0197594851
HGV diesel: 5,000 – 7,500 kg km 0.4752846713 0.4679442834 0.0007014705 0.0066389174
HGV diesel: 7,500 – 10,000 kg km 0.5811715552 0.5721958299 0.0008577485 0.0081179768
HGV diesel: < 5,000 kg km 0.4197945828 0.4133111945 0.0006195729 0.0058638154
HGV diesel: ≥ 30,000 kg km 1.490458417 1.46743949 0.0021997609 0.0208191656

Table 8.10 contains the default emission factors for heavy goods vehicles, based on a pre-2010 fleet and a gross vehicle mass of <7500 kg.

Table 8.10: Default emission factors for heavy goods vehicles
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e)
Heavy Goods Vehicle Defaults
HGV Diesel km 0.4762229095 0.4688680313 0.0007028553 0.006652023
HGV Diesel Hybrid km 0.3838734627 0.3779448471 0.0005665571 0.0053620585

Table 8.11 contains emission factors for freighting goods

The tkm emission factor should be used where there is a mixed consignment on the same truck.

Table 8.11: Emission factors for freighting goods by road
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e) Uncertainties
Freighting Goods by Road
All trucks tkm 0.135 0.132915034 0.0001992459 0.0018857201
Long–haul heavy truck tkm 0.105 0.1033783598 0.000154969 0.0014666712
Urban delivery heavy truck tkm 0.39 0.383976765 0.0005755993 0.0054476358

8.2.3 GHG inventory development

If an entity uses freight vehicles, they can calculate the emissions from the kilometres travelled. Multiply the distances by the emission factors in Table 8.2 to Table 8.10.

Applying the equation E = Q x F this means:

  • E = emissions from the emissions source in kg CO2-e per year
  • Q = km travelled by specific freight vehicle one way
  • F = appropriate emission factors from Table 8.2 to Table 8.10.

For emissions from freighting goods, users need to know the weight in tonnes of the goods freighted as well as the kilometres travelled. These two numbers multiplied together is the tkm. Multiply the tkm by the emission factors in Table 8.11. Applying the equation E = Q x F this means:

  • E = emissions from the emissions source in kg CO2-e per year
  • Q = tonne × kilometres travelled one way
  • F = appropriate emission factors from Table 8.11.

8.2.3.1 ROAD FREIGHT: EXAMPLE CALCULATION

During the reporting period, an entity moves 10 tonnes of goods by truck 100 km. They also hire a van (a light commercial vehicle) with a two-litre petrol engine, manufactured in 2012. This is used to drive 800 km. The weight of the goods moved by van is unknown.

For the 10 tonnes * 100 km moved by truck:

Example calculation of truck emissions for goods moved
Gas Calculation Emissions (kg CO₂-e)
CH₄ emissions 1,000 x 0.0001992459 kg CO₂-e per tkm 0.199 kg CO₂-e
CO₂ emissions 1,000 x 0.132915034 kg CO₂-e per tkm 133 kg CO₂-e
N₂O emissions 1,000 x 0.0018857201 kg CO₂-e per tkm 1.89 kg CO₂-e
Total CO₂-e emissions 1,000 x 0.135 kg CO₂-e per tkm 135 kg CO₂-e

For the hired van, use the emission factors for the 2010–2015 fleet, petrol 1600−2000 cc. (Note: if the quantity of fuel used is known, users can more accurately calculate emissions using the litres of fuel used rather than distance). In this example the fuel usage is unknown, so the entity applies the emission factors for km travelled to calculate the total CO2-e emissions.

For the goods moved by van:

Example calculation of van emissions for goods moved
Gas Calculation Emissions (kg CO₂-e)
CH₄ emissions 800 x 0.003493687 kg CO₂-e per km 2.79 kg CO₂-e
CO₂ emissions 800 x 0.2627631808 kg CO₂-e per km 210 kg CO₂-e
N₂O emissions 800 x 0.0080158187 kg CO₂-e per km 6.41 kg CO₂-e
Total CO₂-e emissions 800 x 0.2742726865 kg CO₂-e per km 219 kg CO₂-e

Note: Numbers may not add due to rounding.

Total CO2-e emissions from freighted goods = 135 kg CO₂-e + 219 kg CO₂-e = 354 kg CO₂-e

For vehicles that run on electricity, care should be taken not to double-count emissions from electricity use that is already captured from reporting of an entities on-site electricity consumption.

8.2.4 Emission factor derivation methodology

The 2022 fleet statistics were taken from the Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport Vehicle Fleet Emissions Model. This provides energy (fuel and electricity) use per 100 km travelled by vehicle. The litres of fuel (or kWh of electricity) consumed per 100 km are provided in Table 8.12 and Table 8.13.

Table 8.12: Light commercial vehicles (energy consumption per 100 km)
Emission source Type Units Pre 2010 Fleet 2010-2015 Fleet 2015-2020 Fleet Post 2020 Fleet
Petrol <1350 cc Litres 8.966812 7.944049 7.522928 7.157506
Petrol 1350 - <1600 cc Litres 9.628114 8.529923 8.077744 7.685372
Petrol 1600 - <2000 cc Litres 12.990669 11.508942 10.898842 10.369437
Petrol 2000 - <3000 cc Litres 13.741639 12.174256 11.528887 10.968878
Petrol >=3000 cc Litres 15.691921 13.902087 13.165124 12.525636
Diesel <1350 cc Litres 8.2994 7.352763 6.962987 6.655973
Diesel 1350 - <1600 cc Litres 7.986627 7.075666 6.700578 6.405135
Diesel 1600 - <2000 cc Litres 10.631949 9.419259 8.919936 8.526636
Diesel 2000 - <3000 cc Litres 11.40018 10.099866 9.564463 9.142744
Diesel >=3000 cc Litres 11.543649 10.226971 9.68483 9.257804
Petrol hybrid <1350 cc Litres 7.079062 6.271618 5.939154 5.696209
Petrol hybrid 1350 - <1600 cc Litres 7.601143 6.73415 6.377166 6.116304
Petrol hybrid 1600 - <2000 cc Litres 10.255791 9.086007 8.604349 8.252383
Petrol hybrid 2000 - <3000 cc Litres 10.848662 9.611255 9.101753 8.72944
Petrol hybrid >=3000 cc Litres 12.388358 10.975331 10.393519 9.968366
Diesel hybrid <1350 cc Litres 7.439819 6.59548 6.264289 6.016229
Diesel hybrid 1350 - <1600 cc Litres 7.159441 6.346921 6.028212 5.7895
Diesel hybrid 1600 - <2000 cc Litres 9.530783 8.449141 8.024869 7.707092
Diesel hybrid 2000 - <3000 cc Litres 10.219447 9.05965 8.604721 8.263982
Diesel hybrid >=3000 cc Litres 10.348057 9.173663 8.71301 8.367983
PHEV (Petrol) - Petrol consumption <1350 cc Litres 3.704709 3.282147 3.108157 2.981016
PHEV (Petrol) - Petrol consumption 1350 - <1600 cc Litres 3.977931 3.524205 3.337384 3.200866
PHEV (Petrol) - Petrol consumption 1600 - <2000 cc Litres 5.367197 4.75501 4.502943 4.318747
PHEV (Petrol) - Petrol consumption 2000 - <3000 cc Litres 5.677467 5.02989 4.763251 4.568407
PHEV (Petrol) - Petrol consumption >=3000 cc Litres 6.483241 5.743757 5.439275 5.216778
PHEV (Petrol) - Electricity consumption <1350 cc kWh 11.339051 10.086184 9.728393 9.467238
PHEV (Petrol) - Electricity consumption 1350 - <1600 cc kWh 12.175306 10.83004 10.445862 10.165447
PHEV (Petrol) - Electricity consumption 1600 - <2000 cc kWh 13.774926 12.252916 11.818264 11.501008
PHEV (Petrol) - Electricity consumption 2000 - <3000 cc kWh 16.965612 15.091058 14.555728 14.164985
PHEV (Petrol) - Electricity consumption >=3000 cc kWh 19.831755 17.640518 17.014749 16.557996
PHEV (Diesel) - Diesel consumption <1350 cc Litres 3.893505 3.451634 3.278311 3.148493
PHEV (Diesel) - Diesel consumption 1350 - <1600 cc Litres 3.746774 3.321555 3.154764 3.029838
PHEV (Diesel) - Diesel consumption 1600 - <2000 cc Litres 4.987776 4.421717 4.199681 4.033378
PHEV (Diesel) - Diesel consumption 2000 - <3000 cc Litres 5.348177 4.741217 4.503137 4.324817
PHEV (Diesel) - Diesel consumption >=3000 cc Litres 5.415483 4.800884 4.559808 4.379244
PHEV (Diesel) - Electricity consumption <1350 cc kWh 11.501624 10.230794 9.867874 9.602975
PHEV (Diesel) - Electricity consumption 1350 - <1600 cc kWh 11.046929 9.826338 9.477765 9.223339
PHEV (Diesel) - Electricity consumption 1600 - <2000 cc kWh 12.104012 10.766623 10.384695 10.105922
PHEV (Diesel) - Electricity consumption 2000 - <3000 cc kWh 13.699983 12.186253 11.753966 11.438436
PHEV (Diesel) - Electricity consumption >=3000 cc kWh 16.203504 14.413157 13.901873 13.528684
Electric vehicle <1350 cc kWh 23.788219 21.159826 20.409216 19.861339
Electric vehicle 1350 - <1600 cc kWh 25.5426 22.720363 21.914395 21.326113
Electric vehicle 1600 - <2000 cc kWh 28.898447 25.705419 24.793561 24.127988
Electric vehicle 2000 - <3000 cc kWh 35.592192 31.659563 30.536491 29.716753
Electric vehicle >=3000 cc kWh 41.605081 37.008079 35.695278 34.737054
Table 8.13: Heavy goods vehicles (energy consumption per 100 km)
Emission source Type Units Pre 2010 Fleet 2010-2015 Fleet Post 2015 Fleet
HGV diesel <5,000 kg Litres 16.56 15.72 15.66
HGV diesel 5,000 - 7,500 kg Litres 18.97 18.01 17.73
HGV diesel 7,500 - 10,000 kg Litres 23.2 22.01 21.68
HGV diesel 10,000 - 12,000 kg Litres 27.51 26.01 25.71
HGV diesel 12,000 - 15,000 kg Litres 31.26 29.66 29.22
HGV diesel 15,000 - 20,000 kg Litres 36.51 35.59 35.5
HGV diesel 20,000 - 25,000 kg Litres 48.61 47.37 47.26
HGV diesel 25,000 - 30,000 kg Litres 57.28 52.9 52.77
HGV diesel >=30,000 kg Litres 57.28 55.73 55.6
HGV diesel hybrid <5,000 kg Litres 13.35 12.65 12.34
HGV diesel hybrid 5,000 - 7,500 kg Litres 15.29 14.5 14.14
HGV diesel hybrid 7,500 - 10,000 kg Litres 18.7 17.72 17.29
HGV diesel hybrid 10,000 - 12,000 kg Litres 22.17 21.01 20.5
HGV diesel hybrid 12,000 - 15,000 kg Litres 25.19 23.88 23.3
HGV diesel hybrid 15,000 - 20,000 kg Litres 33.19 32.35 32.27
HGV diesel hybrid 20,000 - 25,000 kg Litres 44.18 43.06 42.96
HGV diesel hybrid 25,000 - 30,000 kg Litres 51.02 49.72 49.6
HGV diesel hybrid >=30,000 kg Litres 53.75 52.38 52.26
HGV BEV (battery electric vehicle) <5,000 kg kWh 46.81 44.38 43.42
HGV BEV (battery electric vehicle) 5,000 - 7,500 kg kWh 53.63 50.85 49.74
HGV BEV (battery electric vehicle) 7,500 - 10,000 kg kWh 65.57 62.17 60.82
HGV BEV (battery electric vehicle) 10,000 - 12,000 kg kWh 77.75 73.72 81.94
HGV BEV (battery electric vehicle) 12,000 - 15,000 kg kWh 88.35 83.77 91.94

The equation used to calculate the emission factor for each GHG is:

\[ \begin{aligned} \frac{ \text{real-world fuel consumption} \times \text{emission conversion factor} }{ 100\,\text{km} } \end{aligned} \]

Dividing by 100 gives a factor for litres (or kWh) per fuel per km. Use this with the fuel emission factors to calculate emissions per km.

We multiplied the values for fuel consumption by the emission conversion factors provided in Table 3.3.

The default emission factors for freighting vehicles include the following assumptions based on Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport’s The New Zealand 2022 Vehicle Fleet: Data Spreadsheet.

  • Light commercial vehicles are on average 12.5 years old1, which corresponds to a 2010 year of manufacture.

  • The most common engine size is 2000−3000 cc, therefore, we used a pre-2010 fleet and a 2000-3000 cc engine size for the default values.

  • Heavy trucks are on average 18 years old and the most common gross vehicle mass is <7500 kg, therefore we selected a pre-2010 vehicle fleet with a gross vehicle mass of <7500 kg.

  • Using the Motor Vehicle Register2, 79 per cent of goods vans/trucks and utility vehicles are diesel. Therefore diesel vehicles are assumed for the all-trucks factor.

Emission factors for freighting goods (tkm) are from the Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport’s presentation ‘Real-world fuel economy of heavy trucks’.3

This source provides emission factors in terms of g CO2-e/tkm, not for each of the three GHGs (see Table 8.14). Therefore, we calculated emission factors for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide based on the GHG split ratio of the fuel used, which was diesel (see Table 3.3). This ratio is applied to produce the emission factors provided in Table 8.11.

Table 8.14: Data used to calculate the road freight (tkm) emission factor
Truck type Typical g CO₂-e / tkm
Long-haul heavy truck 105
Urban delivery heavy truck 390
All trucks 135

8.2.5 Assumptions, limitations and uncertainties

The Vehicle Fleet Emissions Model historical year results have been carefully calibrated to give a total road fuel use that matches MBIE’s road fuel sales figures. The major source of uncertainty for the freighting goods emission factor is that net tonne-kilometres must be inferred from truck (RUC) returns and the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) truck weigh-in-motion statistics.

The sources used to develop these emission factors will have inbuilt assumptions, limitations and uncertainties. To investigate these, see the documents referenced.

8.3 Rail freight

In New Zealand, KiwiRail owns the rail infrastructure and has provided the information to calculate the emission factor. The emission factor for freighting goods by rail is in Table 8.15.

Table 8.15: Emission factors for rail freight
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e) Uncertainties
Rail Freight
Rail Freight tkm 0.0283586316 0.0279193069 0.0000444172 0.0003949075

8.3.1 GHG inventory development

Users should collect data on the weight of goods freighted (tonnes), and the distance travelled (kilometres). For each journey, multiply the total tonnes by the total km travelled.

Applying the equation E = Q x F this means:

  • E = emissions from the emissions source in kg CO2-e per year
  • Q = tonnes of freight × km travelled
  • F = emission factors in Table 8.15.

8.3.1.1 RAIL FREIGHT: EXAMPLE CALCULATION

During the reporting period, an entity freights 8 tonnes of materials 150 km by rail. This occurs four times in the reporting year.

To calculate tkm: 8 × 150 × 4 = 4,800 tkm

For the 8 tonnes moved 150 km by rail four times:

Example calculation of standard private vehicle consumption
Gas Calculation Emissions (kg CO₂-e)
CH₄ emissions 4,800 x 0.0000444172 kg CO₂-e per tkm 0.213 kg CO₂-e
CO₂ emissions 4,800 x 0.0279193069 kg CO₂-e per tkm 134 kg CO₂-e
N₂O emissions 4,800 x 0.0003949075 kg CO₂-e per tkm 1.90 kg CO₂-e
Total CO₂-e emissions 4,800 x 0.0283586316 kg CO₂-e per tkm 136 kg CO₂-e

Note: Numbers may not add due to rounding.

8.3.2 Emission factor derivation methodology

KiwiRail provided the following information used to calculate the emission factors.

Table 8.16: Information provided by KiwiRail
Calculation component Unit Amount in 2024
Freight-only fuel Litres 35,232,708.46
Freight volumes (net) NTKs (000s) 3,342,305.39
Electricity (net) North Island Main Trunk (NIMT) kWh 3,084,011

Note: NTK (net tonne km) is the sum of the tonnes carried multiplied by the distance travelled.

To calculate emissions from freight-only fuel, multiply the litres by the diesel emission factor in Table 3.3:

\[ \begin{aligned} \text{emissions from fuel} &= \\ \text{freight-only fuel} &\times \text{diesel emission factor} \end{aligned} \]

To calculate emissions from electricity, multiply the net kWh by the emission factors in Table 5.2 or Table 5.3:

\[ \begin{aligned} \text{emissions from electricity} &= \text{electricity NIMT} \\ &\times \text{purchased electricity emission factors} \end{aligned} \]

To calculate emissions from transmission and distribution losses from the purchased electricity, multiply the kWh by the emission factors in Table 5.5:

\[ \begin{aligned} \text{emissions from T\&D losses} &= \\ \text{electricity NIMT} &\times \begin{aligned} &\text{T\&D losses for purchased} \\ &\text{electricity emission factors} \end{aligned} \end{aligned} \]

Divide these total emissions by the freight volumes in tonnes to give emissions per tkm:

\[ \begin{aligned} \text{emission per tkm} &= \dfrac{ \begin{aligned} &\text{fuel emissions} \\ &+ \text{electricity emissions} \\ &+ \text{T\&D losses emissions} \end{aligned} }{ \text{freight volumes (net)} \times 1000 } \end{aligned} \]

8.3.3 Assumptions, limitations and uncertainties

The figure for net tkm includes the weight for third-party tare weight containers. KiwiRail does not own or control those containers and it is the responsibility of the customer to load and unload them. The alternative for these customers would be to transport freight by road. Therefore, these figures reflect the actual freight (including the weight of empty and loaded containers) that KiwiRail moved.

8.4 Air freight

In the absence of New Zealand data, we have adopted the air freight emission factors from the latest UK Greenhouse gas reporting: Conversion factors 2024. These emission factors are Scope 3. Refer to Section 7.5 for further guidance on radiative forcing to inform your choice of emission factor. While the radiative forcing multiplier of 1.7 used in this guidance is based on current scientific evidence and research, this figure is subject to significant uncertainty.

Emissions from aviation have both direct (CO2, CH4 and N2O) and indirect (non-CO2 emissions eg, water vapour, contrails, NOx) climate change effects. Two sets of emission factors for air freight are presented here; one that includes the indirect effects of non-CO2 emissions and one that represents direct effects only.

The short-haul emission factor applies to international flights of less than 3,700 km. The long-haul factor applies to flights of more than 3,700 km.

Entities should include the indirect effects of non-CO2 emissions when reporting air freight emissions to capture the full climate impact of their travel. However, it should be noted that there is significant scientific uncertainty around the magnitude of the indirect effect of non-CO2 aviation emissions and it is an active area of research. Further information can be found in paragraphs 8.5 to 8.7 in the 2024 UK DESNZ Methodology Paper for Conversion Factors.

Table 8.17: Air freight emissions without radiative forcing multiplier
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e)
Without radiative forcing multiplier
Freight flights: Domestic tkm 2.76015 2.73321 0.00393 0.02301
Freight flights: Long haul tkm 0.64875 0.64327 0.00006 0.00542
Freight flights: Short haul tkm 0.98469 0.97639 0.00008 0.00822
Table 8.18: Air freight emissions with radiative forcing multiplier
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e)
With radiative forcing multiplier
Freight flights: Domestic tkm 4.6734 4.64646 0.00393 0.02301
Freight flights: Long haul tkm 1.09904 1.09356 0.00006 0.00542
Freight flights: Short haul tkm 1.66816 1.65986 0.00008 0.00822

8.4.1 GHG inventory development

Users should collect data on the weight in tonnes of goods freighted by air and the distance travelled. For each journey, multiply the total tonnes by the total km travelled.

Applying the equation E = Q x F this means:

  • E = emissions from the emissions source in kg CO2-e per year
  • Q = tonnes of freight × km travelled
  • F = appropriate emission factors in Table 8.17 or Table 8.18.

8.4.1.1 AIR FREIGHT: EXAMPLE CALCULATION

During the reporting period, an entity air freights 0.5 tonnes of materials 10,000 km. This occurs six times in the reporting year. The entity decides to use emission factors with the radiative forcing multiplier applied.

To calculate tkm: 0.5 tonnes × 10,000 km × 6 times = 30,000 tkm

Example calculation of standard private vehicle consumption
Gas Calculation Emissions (kg CO₂-e)
CH₄ emissions 30,000 x 0.00006 kg CO₂-e per tkm 1.80 kg CO₂-e
CO₂ emissions 30,000 x 1.09356 kg CO₂-e per tkm 32,800 kg CO₂-e
N₂O emissions 30,000 x 0.00542 kg CO₂-e per tkm 163 kg CO₂-e
Total CO₂-e emissions 30,000 x 1.09904 kg CO₂-e per tkm 33,000 kg CO₂-e

Note: Numbers may not add due to rounding.

8.4.2 Emission factor derivation methodology

The 2024 UK DESNZ Methodology Paper for Conversion Factors contains full details on the derivation of these emission factors.

8.4.3 Assumptions, limitations and uncertainties

As we adopted these emission factors from the UK DESNZ emissions for air freight to and from the UK, we assume the same factors apply to New Zealand. We have not considered the difference in the size of aircraft transporting domestic air freight – this limits the accuracy of these emission factors to better reflect New Zealand domestic air freight. The 2024 UK DESNZ Methodology Paper for Conversion Factors goes into more detail behind the GHG conversion factors.

We included the emission factors with radiative forcing to account for additional radiative forcing from emissions arising from aircraft transport at altitude (jet aircraft).

8.5 Coastal and international shipping freight

We calculated the domestic coastal shipping emission factor, Table 8.19 based on the findings from the Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport presentation ‘Real-world fuel economy of heavy trucks’,4 prepared for the 2019 Transport Knowledge Conference. We adopted the international shipping emission factors from the UK Greenhouse gas reporting: Conversion factors 2024.

Table 8.19: Coastal shipping emission factors
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e)
Domestic Coastal Freight
Container freight tkm 0.046 0.0455782611 0.0001138579 0.000307881
Oil products tkm 0.016 0.0158533082 0.0000396027 0.0001070891
Other bulk tkm 0.03 0.0297249529 0.0000742551 0.000200792

Note: These numbers are rounded to three decimal places unless the number is significantly small.

Table 8.20: International shipping emission factors
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e)
International Sea Freight
Bulk carrier: 0–9999 dwt tkm 0.02956 0.0292 0.00001 0.00035
Bulk carrier: 10,000–34,999 dwt tkm 0.008 0.0079 0.00000224 0.0001
Bulk carrier: 100,000–199,999 dwt tkm 0.00304 0.003 0.00000112 0.00004
Bulk carrier: 200,000+ dwt tkm 0.00253 0.0025 0.00000112 0.00003
Bulk carrier: 35,000–59,999 dwt tkm 0.00577 0.0057 0.00000224 0.00007
Bulk carrier: 60,000–99,999 dwt tkm 0.00415 0.0041 0.00000112 0.00005
Bulk carrier: Average tkm 0.00353 0.00349 0.00000112 0.00004
Container ship: 0–999 TEU tkm 0.03675 0.0363 0.00001 0.00044
Container ship: 1000–1999 TEU tkm 0.0325 0.0321 0.00001 0.00039
Container ship: 2000–2999 TEU tkm 0.02025 0.02 0.00001 0.00024
Container ship: 3000–4999 TEU tkm 0.01681 0.0166 0.00001 0.0002
Container ship: 5000–7999 TEU tkm 0.01681 0.0166 0.00001 0.0002
Container ship: 8000+ TEU tkm 0.01265 0.0125 0.00000448 0.00015
Container ship: Average tkm 0.01612 0.01592 0.00001 0.00019
General cargo: 0–4999 dwt tkm 0.01407 0.0139 0.00000448 0.00017
General cargo: 0–4999 dwt 100+ TEU tkm 0.02005 0.0198 0.00001 0.00024
General cargo: 10,000+ dwt tkm 0.01204 0.0119 0.00000448 0.00014
General cargo: 10,000+ dwt 100+ TEU tkm 0.01113 0.011 0.00000336 0.00013
General cargo: 5000–9999 dwt tkm 0.016 0.0158 0.00001 0.00019
General cargo: 5000–9999 dwt 100+ TEU tkm 0.01772 0.0175 0.00001 0.00021
General cargo: Average tkm 0.01321 0.01305 0.00000448 0.00016
Refrigerated cargo: All dwt tkm 0.01306 0.0129 0.00000448 0.00016
RoRo–Ferry: 0–1999 LM tkm 0.06105 0.0603 0.00002 0.00073
RoRo–Ferry: 2000+ LM tkm 0.05012 0.0495 0.00002 0.0006
RoRo–Ferry: Average tkm 0.05159 0.05095 0.00002 0.00062
RoRo–Ferry: Large RoPax ferry tkm 0.37612 0.3715 0.00012 0.0045
Vehicle transport: 0–3999 CEU tkm 0.05832 0.0576 0.00002 0.0007
Vehicle transport: 4000+ CEU tkm 0.0324 0.032 0.00001 0.00039
Vehicle transport: Average tkm 0.03852 0.03805 0.00001 0.00046

Note: CEU = car equivalent unit; dwt = deadweight tonnes; LM = lanemetre; TEU = twenty-foot equivalent unit.

8.5.1 GHG inventory development

Users should collect data on the weight in tonnes of goods freighted, and the distance travelled. For each journey, multiply the total tonnes by the total km travelled.

Applying the equation E = Q x F, this means:

  • E = emissions from the emissions source in kg CO2-e per year
  • Q = tonnes of freight × km travelled
  • F = appropriate emission factors from Table 8.19 or Table 8.20

8.5.1.1 MULTIPLE FREIGHT MODES: EXAMPLE CALCULATION

An entity sends 300 kg of its product to a customer. It travels by road freight (All trucks) 50 km to the port, then 500 km by coastal shipping (container freight) to another domestic port. It is then loaded onto rail to its destination 250 km from the port.

Road freight emissions:
0.3 tonnes × 50 km = 15 tkm

Gas Calculation Emissions (kg CO₂-e)
Total CO₂-e emissions 15.0 x 0.135 kg CO₂-e per tkm 2.03 kg CO₂-e

Coastal shipping emissions:
0.3 tonnes × 500 km = 150 tkm

Gas Calculation Emissions (kg CO₂-e)
Total CO₂-e emissions 150.0 x 0.046 kg CO₂-e per tkm 6.90 kg CO₂-e

Rail freight emissions:
0.3 tonnes × 250 km = 75 tkm

Gas Calculation Emissions (kg CO₂-e)
Total CO₂-e emissions 75.0 x 0.0283586316 kg CO₂-e per tkm 2.13 kg CO₂-e

Total freight emissions:

2.03 kg CO₂-e + 6.90 kg CO₂-e + 2.13 kg CO₂-e = 11.1 kg CO₂-e

Note: Numbers may not add due to rounding.

8.5.2 Emission factor derivation methodology

We based the emission factors for coastal shipping on figures included in the Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport presentation ‘Real world fuel economy of heavy trucks’,5 prepared for the 2019 Transport Knowledge Conference.

This source provides emission factors in terms of g CO2-e/tkm, not for each of the three GHGs (see Table 66). Therefore, we calculated emission factors for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide based on the GHG split ratio of the fuel used, which was heavy fuel oil. This ratio is applied to produce the emission factors provided in Table 8.19.

Table 8.21: Coastal shipping data
Mode Typical g CO2e/tkm
Coastal shipping (oil products) 16
Coastal shipping (other bulk) 30
Coastal shipping (container freight) 46

For international shipping, we used the Freight Information Gathering System (FIGS)6 to identify which types of ships visit New Zealand, and their average sizes. We then adopted the UK Greenhouse gas reporting: Conversion factors 2024 for the relevant ships and adapted the average emission factors to reflect ship sizes visiting New Zealand.

We identified the following shipping types as visiting New Zealand:

  • container ships
  • reefer (refrigerated cargo ship)
  • bulk carrier
  • RoRo (roll-on, roll-off)
  • oil/gas tanker
  • vehicle carrier
  • general cargo.

We used MoT’s FIGS7 to find out the average sizes of ships visiting New Zealand. Ships are measured in deadweight tonnes (dwt), twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU), car equivalent unit (CEU) or lanemetre (LM).

  • Bulk carrier is 36,900 dwt and therefore in the 35,000–59,999 dwt category.
  • General cargo is 15,800 dwt and therefore in the 10,000+ dwt category.
  • Container ship is 3,194 TEU and therefore in the 3,000–4,999 TEU category.
  • Vehicle carrier (transport) is unknown and therefore the same as the UK average.
  • RoRo ferry is unknown and therefore the same as the UK average.
  • As there is only one emission factor for all refrigerated cargo an average was not necessary.

Emission factors for these have been adopted from the UK Greenhouse gas reporting: Conversion factors 2024. Refer to that document for details on the methodology.

8.5.3 Assumptions, limitations and uncertainties

We assumed the New Zealand coastal shipping fleet is similar to that in the STREAM Freight Handbook. These figures have a high degree of uncertainty as they are based on international data for coastal shipping.

We carried over the assumptions for the international shipping emission factors from the 2024 UK DESNZ Methodology Paper for Conversion Factors.

  1. Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport: www.knowledgehub.transport.govt.nz/assets/TKH-Uploads/TKC-2019/Real-world-fuel-economy-of-heavy-trucks.pdf.↩︎

  2. Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency: www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/how-the-motor-vehicle-register-affects-you.↩︎

  3. Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport: www.knowledgehub.transport.govt.nz/assets/TKH-Uploads/TKC-2019/Real-world-fuel-economy-of-heavy-trucks.pdf.↩︎

  4. Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport: www.knowledgehub.transport.govt.nz/assets/TKH-Uploads/TKC-2019/Real-world-fuel-economy-of-heavy-trucks.pdf.↩︎

  5. Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport: www.knowledgehub.transport.govt.nz/assets/TKH-Uploads/TKC-2019/Real-world-fuel-economy-of-heavy-trucks.pdf.↩︎

  6. Freight Information Gathering System: www.transport.govt.nz/statistics-and-insights/freight-and-logistics/↩︎

  7. Freight Information Gathering System, overseas ships: www.transport.govt.nz/statistics-and-insights/freight-and-logistics/.↩︎