Figures obtained by the BBC have revealed that the Department for Transport (DfT) operates 1,234 cars – 672 of those being diesel vehicles.
With the ban on new diesel and petrol cars coming into force in 2030, the department said it remained committed to switching to greener vehicles.
A spokesperson added it had “already exceeded” a government-wide target to electrify more than a quarter of its fleet by next year. The DfT currently has 499 electric or hybrid vehicles in its fleet, with 63 petrol cars.
The figures, obtained under the Freedom of Information act, show 29% of the vehicles were plug-in electric hybrids, a further 9% are mild hybrids, and 3% were fully electric.
Most of the vehicles, 970, were operated by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, responsible for driving tests as well as lorry and bus safety.
The highest proportion of diesel vehicles was owned by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, where 84% run on the fuel.
The department itself operates 112 cars, including 96 to transport ministers and civil servants on official duties, 15% of these vehicles were diesel, 30% petrol, 27% hybrid and 29% fully electric.
These figures have led to Campaign for Better Transport to call on the government to lead by example. It added the figures show an “obvious inconsistency” with its drive to phase out diesel and petrol cars.
Former Liberal Democrat transport minister Norman Baker, who is part of the group, told the BBC: “The government needs to lead by example – this makes it difficult to persuade others.”
