Environmental and motoring groups in Australia have welcomed new rules that aim to offer drivers more efficient and less polluting vehicles over the next five years. The Labor government’s proposed New Vehicle Efficiency Standard was passed in parliament on May 16 with the support of the Greens after two years of debate and public consultations.
While the change has been well-received, some challenges lie ahead, including securing compliant vehicles and further investments from both government and corporate sectors. The standard will set emission targets for vehicles starting in 2025, with penalties for automakers that do not meet the limits or trade credits with other brands.
Australia, along with Russia, had been one of the few developed nations without such a standard in place. The Electric Vehicle Council’s CEO, Behyad Jafari, believes that these rules will send a strong message to car manufacturers worldwide that Australia no longer accepts outdated, high-polluting vehicles rejected by other countries.
The standard is expected to have a significant impact on reducing air pollution in Australia, with an estimated 80 million tonnes less carbon emissions from cars entering the atmosphere by 2035. Despite initial reservations, industry leaders like Tony Weber of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and James Voortman of the Australian Automotive Dealer Association have expressed willingness to cooperate and comply with the new regulations.
However, Uber Australia’s managing director, Emma Foley, emphasized the need for sustained investment and action from both the public and private sectors to meet the standard’s requirements. The move towards more electric vehicles will not only benefit the environment but also provide Australian drivers with a greater choice of vehicles and lower fuel costs.
