The Albanese government’s move to ensure efficiency standards for new cars to reduce emissions by more than 60 per cent, and force vehicle manufacturers to sell more electric and fuel-efficient vehicles or face financial penalties, is a long-awaited and welcome reform.
Pyrmont resident Mark Muntz charging up an electric car. Credit: Louise Kennerley
The government reckons the changes will provide Australians with more choice for fuel-efficient cars and electric vehicles and eventually save them $1000 in fuel a year after 2028.
Of course, this remains to be seen. But, motoring groups and the opposition are screaming foul. The industry is worried that mandating the sale of EVs could result in fewer petrol and diesel cars on the market, meaning they will be more expensive for those who need them for work or lifestyle. The opposition climate change and energy spokesman Ted O’Brien and opposition transport spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie revived memories of the Morrison government’s 2019 election campaign claim that Labor’s policies promoting EVs would “end the weekend”. “Fears from industry representatives today that the government’s heavy-handed approach will drive utes off Australian roads is of deep concern,” they said in a statement.
But the changes have been part of everyday life for motorists in other developed nations for years, while Australia has remained a happy dumping ground for carmakers’ old, inefficient models. And it is not just in fuel efficiency. Australia’s safety standards for new cars are falling behind the world’s best, as life-saving technology is made compulsory across Europe but remains optional for vehicles sold here. Canberra has flagged it is looking at adding those features to its minimum standards for new cars, the Australian Design Rules, but is yet to do so.
The government seems intent on quelling another Ute vote rebellion. Energy Minister Chris Bowen pointed out that in countries with new vehicle efficiency standards, 4WDs and utes were still widely available. “Even though the EU market has a stringent standard in place, vehicle models such as the Toyota Hilux and LandCruiser and Ford Rangers continue to be sold,” he said. “The situation is similar in the US, where Ford Rangers, Toyota 4Runners, Tacomas and Tundra utes are available today.”
Scott Morrison’s wily political point about Labor’s attack on the weekend aside, despite years of warnings about the heightened environmental impact of 4WDs, many either do not hear or care. Some people embraced 4WDs three decades back as an ideal vehicle for the school pick-up, while many remain impervious to the publicity surrounding global warming, fossil fuels and Greta Thunberg, and reject making any personal contribution: they made the 4WD Toyota HiLux the best-selling car in Australia for seven years until last year when it lost the crown to the Ford Ranger, another 4WD.
The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard will only apply to new passenger and light commercial vehicles, not used vehicles. They work by providing car companies with targets for average emissions per kilometre from new vehicles sold and push carmakers to give Australian motorists more choices of new cars, utes and vans that use less fuel.
Australia should no longer be a happy dumping ground for carmakers
8
1
05.02.2024
The Albanese government’s move to ensure efficiency standards for new cars to reduce emissions by more than 60 per cent, and force vehicle manufacturers to sell more electric and fuel-efficient vehicles or face financial penalties, is a long-awaited and welcome reform.
Pyrmont resident Mark Muntz charging up an electric car. Credit: Louise Kennerley
The government reckons the changes will provide Australians with more choice for fuel-efficient cars and electric vehicles and eventually save them $1000 in fuel a year after 2028.
Of course, this remains to be seen. But, motoring groups and the opposition are screaming foul. The industry is worried that mandating the sale of EVs could result in fewer petrol and diesel cars on the market, meaning they will be more expensive for those who need them for........
© The Sydney Morning Herald
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