Mayors and councillors across Australia want the Federal Government to supercharge the country’s supply of affordable EVs.
A joint statement signed by 120 council elected officials urges the Federal Government to legislate fuel efficiency standards that are mandatory and deliver at least equivalent settings to those in other major markets, give Australian drivers more choice and affordability, support 100% of new vehicles sold in Australia to become zero emissions as soon as possible, and to review and update the standards about every five years.
“The City of Greater Bendigo has a goal to transition more than 100 light fleet to electric vehicles by 2030, however we are held back by the limited options available in Australia at the right price point,” says its mayor Andrea Metcalf.
She says fuel efficiency standards are critical to unlocking this supply in Australia and would be a game changer for the transition of the transport sector to clean fuels.
ACT Government energy and emissions reduction minister Shane Rattenbury says Australia needs to set national fuel efficiency standards to ensure it gets the cleanest cars.
“Vehicle manufacturers send their cleanest vehicles to countries that demand low and zero emissions vehicles through effective fuel efficiency standards.”
The Cities Power Partnership, a program offered by the Climate Council to support local governments on their journey to net-zero emissions, convened the statement.
“World-class fuel efficiency standards would bring more low- and zero-emissions vehicles to Australian shores,” says Climate Council advocacy head Dr Jennifer Rayner.
“Local government officials are doing what they can to accelerate the shift to EVs, but their hands are tied by prohibitive costs, which is why we’re taking their calls for more affordable options to the federal level.
“Fleets make up 41% of new car sales each year. With the average government fleet vehicle entering the secondhand market after three to five years, councils can play a critical role in supplying affordable EVs to their communities,” Rayner adds.
“Among the Cities Power Partnership’s 180 members, three-quarters have at least one EV in their fleets, but many are keen to go entirely electric. Cheaper EVs will be the key to this.
“For communities to reap the benefits of cleaner, cheaper-to-run vehicles, it is essential the Federal Government implements fuel efficiency standards to supercharge our EV supply.”
The Climate Council says that if fuel efficiency standards had been introduced in 2016, Australia could have saved $5.9 billion in fuel costs and avoided 4000 megalitres of imported fuel.
“This would also have avoided nine million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions – similar to the emissions from domestic aviation in a normal year.”
The Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership (CPP) is Australia’s largest network of local governments leading the way to a thriving, zero emissions future.
It comprises more than 180 councils across the country, representing almost 70% of the Australian population.
