Wednesday 19 April 2023: The NRMA has today welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment to fuel efficiency standards and looks forward to working with the Government and industry over the coming months to deliver the best outcomes for Australians.
The NRMA supports the introduction of mandated fuel efficiency standards for new light vehicles and will provide direction over the coming months of consultation on how best to achieve the critical goals of providing more choice to Australians buying a new car and reducing carbon emissions.
The NRMA is building one of Australia’s largest fast charging network across regional Australia and is committed to ensuring Australians have greater choice when it comes to buying a new car. The introduction of fuel efficiency standards into the Australian market – if done sensibly over time – will open up the domestic market to more low-emission and electric vehicles without adding cost of living pressures to families.
The NRMA believes Australia is in a unique position to cherry-pick the best approaches to fuel efficiency standards adopted overseas while recognising Australia’s unique conditions.
NRMA Group CEO Rohan Lund said the organisation would continue to provide a leadership role over the coming months of consultation to ensure Australia had ambitious and achievable standards while providing greater access to the electric vehicle market.
“When it comes to Australians buying a new car the NRMA is all about choice – and right now those choices are being hindered,” Mr Lund said.
“Most of the developed world has mandated fuel efficiency standards and the voluntary model that has existed in Australia no longer works.
“It is the NRMA’s view that if we adopt sensible standards we can give more choice to Australians looking to buy affordable fuel efficient vehicles – while at the same reducing our reliance on imported fuel and delivering a meaningful reduction in carbon emissions.”
The NRMA is committed to seeing phased targets designed for the Australian market for light vehicles and SUVs and for light commercial vehicles and 4WDs. Australian targets should progressively seek to be in line with the United States.
