Toothless vehicle efficiency standards will cost Aussies
The Electric Vehicle Council said weakening the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) will stop Australians from saving thousands of dollars per year by driving an EV or a fuel-efficient petrol or hybrid car, and help petrol companies make even more profits.
The Coalition has pledged to abolish fines for car manufacturers that bring in petrol-guzzling vehicles into Australia and make driving more expensive for everyday Australians.
Without penalties, automakers won't have a reason to bring the most modern and fuel-efficient vehicles to Australia. This means fewer affordable EVs and fuel-efficient petrol and hybrid cars, leading to less competition, and making the cost-of-living worse for millions of Australians.
Electric Vehicle Council CEO Julie Delvecchio said that in a cost-of-living election, removing penalties from NVES will prevent Australians from saving money at the bowser by driving EVs and more fuel-efficient petrol and hybrid cars.
“The NVES doesn’t work without the credit and penalty system. Removing fines from the NVES is like having road rules without enforcement—no consequences for breaking the rules and no motivation to follow them," Ms Delvecchio said.
“The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard is good for millions of Australians - especially for those living in the outer suburbs and regions. From petrol and diesel cars through to EVs, the NVES means lower costs at the servo, more choice and competition in cheaper-to-run vehicles, and cleaner air in our suburbs.
“Australians are voting with their feet by getting into more fuel-efficient cars which save them money, especially EVs which slash costs for Australians by up to $3,000 every year.
“All Australians benefit from the NVES, but the ones who benefit most are those living in the outer suburbs who commute longer distances and are looking to save money.
“The NVES has only just started - we cannot afford to do a U-turn on this crucial policy that is set to save Australians $114 billion in fuel and maintenance savings and health benefits.
“Scrapping fines takes us back to the bad old days we left firmly in the rear-view mirror where Australia, alongside Russia, was a dumping ground for the world’s unwanted, fuel-guzzling, inefficient cars.
“Weakening the NVES will hurt millions of motorists while benefiting petrol companies as well as some manufacturers who want to continue selling costly cars that are bad for our health and our wallets.”
Got a News Tip?
Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.
More on Mencari
5 - Minute recap - for nighly bite-sized news around Australia and the world.
Podwires Daily - for providing news about audio trends and podcasts.
There’s a Glitch - updated tech news and scam and fraud trends
The Expert Interview - features expert interviews on current political and social issues in Australia and worldwide.
Viewpoint 360 - An analysis view based on evidence, produced in collaboration with 360Info
Mencari Banking - Get the latest banking news and financials across Australia and New Zealand
The Mencari readers receive journalism free of financial and political influence.
We set our own news agenda, which is always based on facts rather than billionaire ownership or political pressure.
Despite the financial challenges that our industry faces, we have decided to keep our reporting open to the public because we believe that everyone has the right to know the truth about the events that shape their world.
Thanks to the support of our readers, we can continue to provide free reporting. If you can, please choose to support Mencari.
It only takes a minute to help us investigate fearlessly and expose lies and wrongdoing to hold power accountable. Thanks!