FCAI publishes voluntary emissions results

WITH motor vehicle CO2 emissions a major talking point at many levels comes news from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) this week that Australia’s 2022 voluntary emissions reduction standard for light vehicles has hit one target but missed another.

According to the FCAI, the 2022 results show passenger car and light SUV emissions was an average of 131 grams (down from 146 grams in 2021) of CO2 for every kilometre travelled. The outcome for the heavy SUV and light commercial vehicle segment was 212.8 grams (up from 212.5 grams in 2021) on average.

These results are set against a 2022 target of 146 grams for passenger cars and light SUVs and 189 grams for heavy SUVs and light commercial vehicles.

The FCAI, in conjunction with the broader motor industry was moved in 2020 to implement the voluntary emissions reductions standard in response to inaction from the previous federal government.

The organisation has been prominent in lobbying the government for action on climate change through advocating various actions including the focus of improving fuel quality, particularly 95 RON premium unleaded petrol.

The federal government opened public consultation on the issue late last year to assist in forming a pathway toward cleaner fuels and reduced emissions from cars on Australia’s roads.

The changes proposed in the federal government’s Draft Regulation Impact Statement could see Australia adopt tougher Euro 6D standards – to be applied to new vehicles in Europe from 2025 – which require lower levels of noxious emissions.

If introduced, the standards mean Australia may finally catch up to global efficiency standards. Present fuel standards do not align with international best practice, road blocking the transition to more efficient models.

“Adopting Euro 6D will improve the choice Australian consumers have when buying their next car, supporting more model choices that cost less to run,” said the minister for climate change and energy, Chris Bowen.

In relation to the results of latest voluntary emissions reduction standard, FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said that the 2022 results demonstrated the challenges of transitioning to a zero-emission light vehicle sector in Australia, especially in the absence of a government mandated CO2 standard.

“Globally, there is currently a limited supply of batteries and supporting technology to meet the demand for all new vehicles and in particular, the bigger vehicles which a large proportion of Australians choose to buy,” said Mr Weber.

“Development work is being undertaken by car makers across the world to overcome these challenges. However, we are not likely to see a significant improvement in the availability of these vehicles at prices many Australians can afford until at least the end of this decade.

“We have the opportunity to establish a standard which gets us on the pathway to reducing emissions, supports car makers to attract the best low emission technology to the Australian market and provides Australian consumers with certainty and clarity around future vehicle availability.

“Attempts to simplify our journey to net zero, as one that can only be achieved through electric vehicles, ignore the buying preferences of Australian consumers, market supply realities, price, and the very real impact of other low emission technologies.

“All FCAI members are aligned on the need for a fuel efficiency standard which considers consumers, the unique nature of the Australian market, product availability, affordability, and the full range of zero and low emission technologies.

“We look forward to continuing to engage constructively with the Federal Government to bring this to reality.”