The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) welcomed the opportunity to provide its views to the Federal Government’s Fuel Efficiency Standard (FES) consultation.
The FCAI and its members – which includes manufacturers of vehicles ranging from battery electric through to petrol and diesel engines – want to continue to play their role in combating climate change and providing Australians with the zero and low emission vehicles they can afford, want to drive and vehicles that meet their family, personal, recreation or work needs.
The ultimate aim of the FES should be to decarbonise the light vehicle sector in the most efficient and effective way, and in an Australian context.
Chief Executive Tony Weber said the FCAI fully supports the introduction of an ambitious but achievable, technology agnostic FES that it is designed and implemented with a focus on the Australian consumers’ needs.
“We can establish a standard which gets us on the pathway to zero emissions, supports car makers to attract the best low emission technology to the Australian market, while providing consumers with certainty and clarity around future vehicle availability.
“The exact form of a fuel efficiency standard needs to consider the model cycle time frames to bring more fuel-efficient vehicles into Australia and the level of financial and non-financial support from the government. Across the world, this partnership of industry and government has been crucial to the development of low emission vehicles.
“Most importantly, any policy that does not bring consumers along the path of reform will, by definition, fail. Key to the transition for consumers is the availability of product that they want or need at an affordable price,” Mr Weber said.
The FCAI recommends Government ensures that flexibility is built into the FES with a long-term, visionary target and regular reviews of the annual rate of reduction.
The FCAI looks forward to working closely with Government towards implementing an efficient and effective FES and working towards a decarbonised future.
A full copy of our submission can be accessed here.