The Coalition has expressed concerns that the implementation of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) will result in increased costs for purchasing SUVs, utes, and four-wheel drives. They believe that this new standard, which aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new vehicles, will essentially act as a tax on family cars and utes. The legislation will assess the CO2 emissions of new cars on the market, rewarding dealers that sell low-emission vehicles and penalizing those that do not comply. While the law will not prohibit the sale of SUVs or large passenger vehicles, it will encourage the sale of cars with lower emissions and impose penalties on those selling polluting vehicles.
The government has allocated $85.5 million to establish a regulator to monitor vehicle emissions data. Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie criticized the passing of the legislation without proper debate, stating that it will significantly increase the cost of purchasing popular vehicles in Australia. She emphasized that this policy could lead to families holding onto their current vehicles for longer, hindering the transition to cleaner and more fuel-efficient cars.
The Coalition opposes what they view as a tax on vehicles that Australians prefer to drive, advocating for a technology-neutral approach to achieving net zero emissions. Despite efforts by the Coalition to refer the legislation for further inquiry, the motion was defeated by Labor and the Greens. The final version of the legislation was supported by members of Labor, Greens, and independent David Pocock, while opposed by the Coalition, One Nation, and the United Australia Party.
The government claims that the NVES will enable Australian motorists to access a wider range of cleaner and more cost-effective vehicles. It is projected to reduce emissions from new passenger cars by over 60 percent by 2030. The standard will only apply to new vehicles, aiming to introduce a variety of hybrid, electric, petrol, and diesel cars to the market. Climate Change Minister Bowen highlighted the benefits of this shift for both the environment and motorists nationwide.
The NVES will establish emissions targets for vehicles and impose penalties for non-compliance. Industry leaders have acknowledged the challenges of implementing the legislation but welcome the certainty it provides for the automotive sector. The passage of the NVES has been described as a historic day for Australia, as the country aligns with global standards for vehicle efficiency. Please rewrite this sentence.
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