Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA) has withdrawn itself from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) policy advisory committee over the lobby group’s stance on the Federal Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).
But Tesla and Polestar have resigned as paid-up members of the lobby group.
According to Reuters, all three brands oppose the stance the FCAI is taking in response to the NVES.
The FCAI wants a watered-down version of the current scheme, which penalises high-emitting Utes and SUVs which are popular sellers in Australia, but that conflicts with the viewpoint of VGA, Tesla, and Polestar Australia.
Reuters reports that Toyota Australia has backed the FCAI’s position, but it has called on the Federal Government to review the stringency of the plan and its phase-in penalties.
A VGA spokesperson told Reuters: “Volkswagen Group Australia speaks for itself on public and policy matters, including the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard. A strong NVES is in the best interests of this country.”
According to Reuters, Polestar Australia sent a letter to the FCAI arguing that delaying or making the standards less stringent would allow Australia to become a dumping ground for old technology and force the emissions burden elsewhere.
In the letter, Head of Polestar Australia Samantha Johnston said the brand cannot, in good faith, continue to allow its membership fees to fund a campaign designed to deliberately slow the car industry’s contribution to Australia’s emissions reduction potential.
Tesla was the first automotive brand to resign from the FCAI board, as it disagreed with claims the board made about the proposed standards and the effect on new vehicle prices.
