Australia’s senior body for car brands has used a shift in the federal government to once again call for clear CO2 emissions targets backed by penalties for non-compliance – as applicable in Europe.
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industry (FCAI) put the CO2 reduction plan on the agenda of the government of new Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Both FCAI and various car brands – sponsoring the lobbying group mentioned – requested a long time ago the introduction of CO2 emission plans with teeth.
The argument behind such a policy is that it would force overseas factories to produce low-emissions cars and send more cars to Australia to avoid fines. Their absence has resulted in Australia being called “Landfills“For less efficient cars.
No car company selling electric vehicles can remotely guarantee enough stock to meet Australian demand – limiting consumption and by reducing choice also indirectly increase prices. An example of this can be read this.
This argument has perhaps been most firmly promoted by Volkswagen Group Australia, with chief executive Paul Sansom saying CarExpert this early year that its dealers will be stocked with more electric vehicles, more quickly, if a government CO2 reduction program is signed into law.
“It’s really simple. In all of our Group’s factories… it’s a conversation we have. Undoubtedly, the important part of that conversation is ‘what is the law in your country’? “Do we have goals to achieve, that if we don’t hit them, there will be penalties?” he said.
“If we don’t have that law in the market, they [Group factories] will favor markets that already have it, to avoid very heavy fines. It’s completely game-changing, it really is, and it’s almost going to change the game overnight if we get those things right.”
Speaking on the matter this week, FCAI CEO Tony Weber said now is the perfect time for the new Albanese Government to mandate an industrial plan, which he suggested should follow the template set by FCAI’s voluntary CO2 emission program.
The FCAI’s Voluntary CO2 Programcriticized because it cannot enforce its goals but is registered by all car brands, created essentially for this very purpose.
“The Australian public has made it clear that tackling climate change and reducing emissions is a top concern. As an industry, we are ready to work with the new Federal Government to transition the industry’s voluntary CO2 regime to a federally mandated one,” said Mr. Weber.
Mr. Weber also repeated his organization’s view that any government CO2 plan should avoid focusing on any particular type of low-emissions drive, but should set targets and let Car brands respond in their own way.
“Our members are bringing low-emission technologies to market including internal combustion, hydrogen, hybrid and full battery systems. All of these technologies will play some role in our short-medium-term journey towards zero emissions and full electrification,” he said.
“Our message to the government is simple. Give us goals; We will provide you with technology. ”
You can read a detailed summary of the EU’s CO2 reduction plan thisincluding emissions targets and associated fines.
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