EV Council: “Time for Australia to catch up” to NZ’s emissions standards

It’s “time for Australia to catch up” to New Zealand’s fuel efficiency standards, according to the Electric Vehicle Council.

With a recent New Zealand survey finding 62 per cent of people were happy with the policy, the EV Council claims similar standards in Australia would be just as popular.

"Australia is one of the last developed nations on earth not to introduce fuel efficiency standards and this polling shows the government has nothing to fear from quickly catching up," said EV Council CEO Behyad Jafari.

5

"The Australian Government should have introduced fuel efficiency standards many years ago. If this had happened we would have tens of thousands more EVs on the road, and Australian drivers would not be waiting months, or years, to take delivery of their new electric vehicles.

"There is no reason to delay further. We need the federal government to announce strong fuel efficiency standards this year to help accelerate Australia's transition to an electric fleet.”

First introduced on July 1, 2021, the New Zealand Government’s Clean Car Discount aimed to encourage the uptake of zero- and low-emissions vehicles in the nation.

It was expanded from January 1, 2022, with each new and used import vehicle sold in New Zealand subject to a rebate, no rebate, or a penalty, depending on its CO2 output.

5

Australia's top-selling vehicle, the Ford Ranger, emits up to 262g/km

Any passenger vehicle emitting less than 146 grams of CO2 per kilometre is eligible for a rebate, while those that emit 193 grams and higher are subject to a fee that rises with higher CO2 levels.

All others which fall between 146 and 192g/km are in a neutral zone and won't attract a rebate or fee.

The research surveyed 989 New Zealanders – considered a statistically valid sample size – with 46 per cent of respondents unaware of the Clean Car Standard prior to the survey.

Thirty-five per cent agreed that a discount for low-pollution vehicles and a fee for higher-pollution vehicles is a “good policy.”

5

What about Australia?

The Albanese Government is expected to introduce a national new-car emissions standard in the coming months, following consultation with the state and territory governments, industry officials, and consumer groups.

At the National Electric Vehicle Summit in Canberra in mid-2022, the government announced a strategy to grow EV sales in Australia by reducing costs and improving choice through government-led incentives.

It said it would also explore introducing vehicle fuel efficiency standards and improved CO2 emissions schemes.

5

“Many states have implemented their own agenda in the absence of a federal strategy – now is the chance to work together to get the job done,” said Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister, Chris Bowen, at the event.

“But standards that lack ambition will leave us back of the global queue longer for cheaper and cleaner vehicles, we need to be as close as possible to the best practice. I do think now is the time for the conversation that is open, constructive and mature.”

Australia is the only country in the OECD not to have similar policies – apart from Russia.