The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) believes the Prime Minister Scott Morrison is sending the right signals in acknowledging the likelihood of a commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 through the adoption of science and technology.
“The direction being proposed by the Prime Minister is an important signal that Australia is joining the rest of the world in setting a timeframe on the elimination of carbon emissions,” according to FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber.
“These signs of intent need to be matched by Federal and state Governments working with key sectors to encourage the take up of new technology and eliminating policy, regulatory and taxation settings that effectively limit appropriate purchasing decisions.”
Mr Weber said the automotive sector had already committed to a 2030 carbon reduction target.
“The FCAI CO2 Emissions Standard aligns with manufacturers’ traditional position of bringing the best possible products, with the latest safety and drive-train technologies, to the Australian market,” he said.
“The initiative aims to provide certainty to manufacturers to enable them to confidently plan future product for the Australian market. The intent behind this new Standard is to ensure automotive manufacturers can continue to do what they do best – and that is to bring the latest, safest, and most fuel-efficient vehicles to the Australian market.”
Under the FCAI CO2 Emissions Standard it is estimated that cars and light SUVs will, on average, have CO2 emissions under 100 grams per kilometre and heavy SUVs and light commercials under 145 grams per kilometre by 2030.
“Australian buyers already have choice across technologies ranging from full electric vehicles, hybrids and efficient internal combustion engines. Often, price and the need for a vehicle to perform a specific purpose – such as farming or construction work – are prime criteria in motorists’ purchasing decisions.
“Rather than prescribing one technology over another, we should continue to encourage buyers to make informed decisions and let the market – manufacturers and customers – drive the uptake of new and emerging technologies such as full electric and hydrogen as we move to 2030 and beyond to 2050.”
“The FCAI strongly supports governments and industry working together to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing motor vehicle emissions that includes fuel quality standards, the introduction of Euro 6 and the introduction of a challenging but realistic, achievable and market relevant CO2 standard,” Mr Weber said.