AHEAD OF TOMORROW’S Electric Vehicle Summit in Canberra, the Climate Council is asking the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) to clear a path for fuel efficiency standards that will save Australians money and lower emissions.

Dr Jennifer Rayner, Climate Council Head of Advocacy, said: “Last year, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) member firms Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan and Volvo sold over half a million new cars into the Australian market. Most of those were dirtier and less efficient than the cars they sell overseas. 

“Australians are left paying the price for that dirty transport fleet many times over. We pay at the petrol pump because less efficient cars guzzle more fuel and we pay in rising transport pollution, which is fueling climate change and harming our health.” 

“The FCAI must arrive at the Electric Vehicle Summit with a stronger plan for fuel efficiency standards that prioritise and protect Australians over their own profits.” 

“FCAI’s members selling dirty, inefficient cars into Australia well into the 2040s is not an option if we want to achieve the deep emissions cuts needed this decade to avoid the worst effects of climate change. 

“The vehicle industry must do its bit towards Australia’s new target of cutting emissions by at least 43 percent by 2030 otherwise which other parts of our economy and community will have to do more?” 

“Introducing strong fuel efficiency standards is the best way to cut costs for Australians and cut our emissions for the future. The FCAI must not stand in the way of real change. It needs to stop blocking the road.”

Note to editors: 

• Transport is Australia’s fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions, plus the sector is our third biggest source of climate pollution, behind only energy and land use. 
• Fuel efficiency standards cover 80% of the global car market, yet Australia is one of the only wealthy countries without them. 
• Australia’s cars produce up to 40% more emissions than their European counterparts. 

See the Climate Council’s open letter to the FCAI here. 

For interviews please contact Brianna Hudson on 0455 238 875 

The Climate Council is Australia’s leading community-funded climate change communications organisation. It was founded through community donations in 2013, immediately after the then-Abbott Government dismantled the Climate Commission. We provide authoritative, expert and evidence-based advice on climate change to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community. For further information, go to: climatecouncil.org.au Or follow us on social media: facebook.com/climatecouncil and twitter.com/climatecouncil