The Electric Vehicle Council criticized the Albanese government for its slow implementation of its electric vehicle policy and fuel economy regulations.
The comments came after the revelation of more difficult emission regulations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which the agency expects will see electric vehicles (EVs) account for 67% of new light vehicle sales and 46% of new midsize vehicle sales by 2032.
The Electric Vehicle Council has once again criticized Australia as one of the only developed countries on earth that does not have any fuel economy standards, and warns our situation is a “dumping ground for electric vehicles”. obsolete, high-emission vehicles” will be “consolidated” if the Albanese Government does not move quickly.
Chief executive Behyad Jafari said tougher regulations in the US were “huge consequences for Australia”.
“Auto companies will now race to meet the stricter standards set in the US, Europe, China and even New Zealand,” said Mr. Jafari.
“If they continue to see Australia as the oddball country, they will prioritize all other markets for their latest and greatest electric cars. Australia will be dumped with its outdated gas-guzzling appliances as it will be one of the only markets without consequences if it does so.
“We know the federal government is slowly implementing a new electric vehicle policy. This move in the US means that the whistle has sounded. Talk time is up, we know we need to act, so introduce new fuel efficiency standards now.”
Mr Jafari pointed out that Australia is similar to the US in terms of geography and driving culture, both countries have a lot of open space and consumers love larger vehicles like minibuses.
“If the US can do this definitively then there is no reason for Australia not to follow suit,” Mr. Jafari said.
“The United States first introduced fuel economy standards into law in the 1970s and has strengthened these standards ever since. In 2023, Australia has a document discussing them. It’s ridiculous.”
In the United States, the first vehicle emissions standards went into effect in 1970, with the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations enacted in 1975.
With the latter, automakers have goals to achieve, and sales of thirstier vehicles therefore need to be offset by more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Environmental group Greenpeace has also called for tougher rules like those planned for the United States.
“With our abundant mineral and renewable resources, Australia could also lead by creating new industries in battery and electric vehicle manufacturing, but instead we have difficulty in paying more for fuel while the cost of living skyrockets and misses out on important new economic opportunities,” said Lindsay Soutar, senior campaigner for Greenpeace.
Background
The Albanian government said Last November it received more than 500 submissions for a discussion document designed to shape the country’s long-awaited First National Electric Vehicle Strategy.
It says it wants Australians to have a wider selection of affordable electric vehicles after years of inactivity in Canberra.
The government has yet to publish its findings.
The core policy to address is the belated introduction of fuel economy standards and the adoption of a binding CO2 reduction scheme, something the auto industry and other stakeholders have long held. deemed necessary to unlock a larger supply of EVs.
According to many people industry stakeholdersthis is long overdue.
Besides Russia, Australia is the only OECD country that does not have or is in the process of developing such fuel economy standards.
Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen said: “The lack of such standards in Australia is believed to be one of the factors affecting the supply and cost of electric vehicles. “Why? Because although Australia doesn’t show leadership, manufacturers prioritize markets that do.”
Since then, the Labor Government has received the support of the Australian Green Party and the independent David Pocock Senate for its electric vehicle (EV) incentive billalthough not without some modifications, including the discontinuation of plug-in hybrid vehicle support from April 1, 2025.
This legislation exempts the side benefit tax (FBT) for low-emissions cars, potentially saving employers and private vehicle drivers thousands of dollars.
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industry (FCAI), sponsored by Australian car brands and representing them in Canberra, has praised the Albanese Government’s National Electric Vehicle Strategy.
Top notch body has been pillar to throw the ball a fuel economy and CO2 emission reduction program is less demanding on members than similar policies in Europe or the United States.
The latest annual report on the voluntary CO2 reporting program shows that heavy SUVs and light commercial vehicles have miss their target.
The 2022 target for heavy SUVs and light commercial vehicles, known as MC+NA, is 189 grams of CO2 per kilometer traveled. The result is 212.8 grams, which is actually a slight increase from 2021’s 212.5 grams.
That’s disappointing, as between 2020 and 2021 this has dropped from 218 grams.
There’s better news in the MA category (cars and light SUVs), with an average of 131 grams. This is down from 146 grams in 2021, which is also the target number for 2022.
For context, the results for this category for 2020 are 150 grams. This is the first year that results for both categories are available.
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