The Federal Government said they are delivering more cars that are cheaper to run, giving motorists choice by introducing a New Vehicle Efficiency Standard for Australia.
The government spokesperson said The United States has had a similar policy in place for fifty years. But because of a decade of delay and denial, Australia still stands alongside Russia as one of the only advanced economies without the Standard. This is costing families and businesses thousands of dollars at the petrol pump.
The Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard will push car makers to give Australian motorists more choices of new cars, utes and vans that use less fuel and that have until now only been available to buyers in overseas markets.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen said: “Because of a lack of action on an Efficiency Standard, Australian families are paying around $1000 a year more than they need to be for their annual fuel bill.”
The preferred model for the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, made available on cleanercars.gov.au, has been under development since the Government committed to the Standard last year – to ensure it strikes the right balance in giving Australians more choice while using less petrol.
If Australia catches up with the Standard in the U.S. by around 2028, Australians stand to save about $1000 per vehicle per year.
The Standard will only apply to new passenger and light commercial vehicles, not used or existing vehicles. They work by providing car companies with targets for average emissions per kilometre from new vehicles sold.
The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard will deliver more vehicles to Australia with the latest engine and design technologies to ensure lower fuel bills, meaning bigger savings at the petrol pump.
The Government will consult on the preferred model for a month and introduce the legislation as soon as possible, with the new cost saving rules to come into effect by 1 January 2025.
The Impact Analysis and ways to have your say are available online at www.cleanercars.gov.au
