In recent discussions regarding Australian car fuel efficiency, industry experts have raised doubts about the Federal Government’s claims. Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen asserted that Australian cars consume 20% more fuel than their US counterparts. However, analysis from Motor Traders Association CEO Matt Hobbs suggests a different story.
Experts like Hobbs question the government’s comparison. Instead of directly comparing actual fuel consumption figures, the analysis relies on assumptions and contrasts CO2 targets between the US and Australia. According to Hobbs, this is not an “apples-to-apples” comparison.
Contrary to the assumption, the top-selling vehicles in the US are large petrol-powered pick-up trucks, whereas, in Australia, smaller and more fuel-efficient diesel utes dominate the market. For instance, while the iconic Ford F150 in the US consumes 12.2L/100km, Australia’s best-seller, the Ford Ranger, uses just 7.1L/100km.
Furthermore, the comparison overlooks the fact that many US pick-up trucks, such as the Ford F-Series, fall outside the CO2 standards due to their size. As the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) points out, a substantial portion of these vehicles do not adhere to the US passenger vehicle emission targets.
Despite the AAA’s calls for transparency, the government’s analysis remains based on comparing voluntary CO2 targets set by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries with the US EPA targets. Experts argue that a direct comparison is inherently flawed due to various credits and differing testing methodologies.
Moreover, concerns have been raised regarding the potential introduction of a road user tax on electric vehicles (EVs) to offset lost revenue from fuel excise. This tax could directly impact the government’s claims of consumer savings by switching to EVs. The AAA emphasises the need for reform in motoring taxation to address the growing number of EVs on the road.
In light of these discussions, the government must provide more transparent modeling for its New Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES) and address concerns regarding the proposed road user tax. This will ensure a fair and informed transition towards more sustainable transportation options.
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