The back-and-forth between Australia’s climate lobby and car manufacturers around the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) continues, with one group now claiming that Toyota’s vehicles causes more harm than even the dirtiest coal mine.
In a media statement, the Climate Council called on auto companies to reduce emissions, saying nearly two-thirds of the local transport sector’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions come from cars, trucks and small trucks.
However, of the 20.1 million electric vehicles recorded on the road by the Australian Department of Infrastructure in 2021, almost 96% of these were cars, vans, small pickups and vans. light load.
About 792,000 of the remaining vehicles are buses and trucks, accounting for about a third of the nation’s transportation emissions despite accounting for less than 5% of the total vehicle population.
The Climate Council continues to declare Toyota Motor Corporation, Ford, Hyundai Group, Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance and Mazda as the five automakers responsible for the highest polluting light vehicles in Australia.
In Toyota’s case, the Climate Council estimates the 230,074 cars, trucks and utes sold by both the main brand and its Lexus luxury division in 2023 will generate 475,321 to 547,919 tons of CO2 equivalent annually.
This figure would make its emissions larger than the Narrabri Underground Mine in New South Wales, which produces about 519,704 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.
Ford is the second highest polluter according to the lobby group’s data, emitting between 230,472 and 309,560 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, behind Hyundai – which also includes the Kia and Genesis brands – with 222,037 to 309,321 tonnes. .
In total, Climate Council data shows the 1,137,582 light vehicles sold in Australia last year were responsible for 1,952,351 to 2,430,005 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions.
“The cars these multinational corporations sell are responsible for the equivalent of a year’s worth of climate pollution,” Climate Council executive director Amanda McKenzie said in a media statement. with dozens of large and dirty coal mines.”
“Right now, they are getting away with it because that pollution is not regulated.
“It’s no surprise that ‘Filthy Five’ car companies like Toyota and Mazda are among the most vocal critics of vehicle pollution management.
“They have been using Australia as a dumping ground for their most polluting vehicles for years, while also providing more efficient vehicles in countries with regulations.”
Last weekToyota Australia vice-president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley has called for a slower roll-out of NVES, claiming that the Federal Government’s preference for regulations would lead to price increases for featuring the brand’s most popular utes and large four-wheel drive vehicles.
Mazda Australia has it criticized NVESwhile Mitsubishi calls on policymakers so as not to forget ‘central Australia’.
Last month The Climate Council has publicly supported NVESalthough the data the lobby group put forward in support of the Government’s proposal was found by Car expert contradict previous studies or are presented without primary context.
THAN: Tough emissions standards will mean price increases, hurting ‘central Australia’ – Toyota
THAN: Automakers, lobbying groups wage war over cost of emissions standards for new car buyers
THAN: Volkswagen’s wish list for Australian emissions standards revealed
THAN: Hyundai supports tough emissions standards for new Australian cars
THAN: Mazda limits Australian efficiency standards, calls for subsidies
THAN: Mitsubishi: Emission standards cannot forget ‘Central Australia’
THAN: Australian dealer body criticizes tougher emissions standards
THAN: What Australia’s biggest car brands have to say about strict new emissions standards
THAN: Climate lobby backs Australia’s emissions standards, but data leaves more questions than answers
