EV advocates frustrated as vehicle emissions can kicked down the road again

Electric vehicle advocates have welcomed the federal government’s renewed commitment to vehicle emissions standards, but expressed frustration at the further delays, saying Australia remains a dumping ground for dirty cars and EV buyers are still deprived of choice.

The country’s first national EV strategy was released by federal energy and climate minister Chris Bowen and transport minister Catherine King on Wednesday, and included a few new measures such as a commitment to battery recycling, but sought more consultations on the key measure of vehicle emissions. There is no national EV adoption target.

“It’s less than 12 months ago that the (then Coalition) federal government thought that EVs would ruin the weekend. So we’re conscious of that,” Smart Energy Council chief executive John Grimes told The Driven.

“At the same time this is a really pressing issue, and we feel like the can is just perpetually being kicked down the road. Because frankly, every day that it is not law, Australia remains a global dumping ground for the world’s least efficient vehicles.

“It’s really hurting families and the family budget because they’re paying more for petrol. And, of course, we’re contributing to dangerous climate change all at the same time.”

The federal government is taking new submissions on the emission standards until the end of May, and hopes to introduce legislation towards the end of the year. It is not clear when any new standards would take effect.

Grimes pointed out that there had been consultations about vehicle emission standards for more than a decade in Australia, since 2012 when the  former federal Labour government had legislation drafted that referenced the European standards.

“It’s time to take a shot for goal,” Grimes said. “We’re calling on the legislation to be introduced before the 1st of September and to be law before Christmas time so that Australians that go out looking for a new car over the summer, have the choice that they deserve.”

“There are no blocks”

Grimes also said there is nothing stopping the federal government from implementing standards immediately, and it could adopt standards that mirror those in New Zealand. “There are no blocks, there’s been inquiry after inquiry submission after submission. Enough already, now’s the time for action,” he said.

Grimes’ comments were echoed by other groups, including the The Australia Institute which said the longer the fuel efficiency standards are delayed, the harder it will be for the country to meet its 2030 climate targets.

“When you start from behind, as Australia is on EV policy, you can’t catch up by going slower than everybody else,” said Noah Shultz-Byard, the director of TAI in South Australia. “The longer we keep subsidising big 4-wheel-drive utes the longer they will keep topping sales charts and polluting.

“Australia Institute research has shown that our nation’s vehicle fleet is 24% less efficient than in the UK, despite the UK having a higher portion of its population outside of major cities.”

Greens say government has a strategy without a destination

The Greens were also critical of the policy announcement saying the EV strategy “is still stuck in the slow lane and needs to accelerate”

Greens Leader Adam Bandt said Australia now has a strategy without a destination and the government needs to set a target date for the phase out of petrol and diesel cars and get moving with strong fuel efficiency standards.

“The Greens want a commitment to phase out new sales of petrol and diesel cars over this decade and fuel efficiency standards at least as strong as in Europe,” he said.

“The Greens are likely to be in the balance of power on the implementation of the strategy. Labor can choose to work with the Liberals and the oil barons or work with us. We are ready to work with the government on what needs to be done, so let’s get on with it.” said Bandt.

The uptake of EVs has nearly doubled over the past year, thanks to the availability of popular models such as the Tesla Model Y, the BYD Atto 3, the MG ZS SE, and contributions from Polestar, Hyundai and Kia. But Australians still struggle to obtain EVs and none are available at a price of less than $45,000.

More and more studies prove that pollution from petrol and diesel cars has devastating impacts on our heath. One recent study showed how diesel exhaust pollution dulls human brains in hours and another showed that petrol and diesel exhausts causes 11,000 premature deaths and 66,000 active asthma cases per year in Australia.

Grimes says one of the reasons for the delay in the emission strategy has been the lobbying efforts of the fossil car industry, which he suggested would be “quite ecstatic” with the release today.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which largely represents the legacy petrol and diesel car makers, praised the government for seeking more consultations and for not copying the model in Europe, which has tight emissions standards that have underpinned a rapid uptake of EVs.

“The Federal Government’s announcement this morning acknowledges the proposed scheme will be suited to Australia, apply all available emissions reducing technologies and ensure that Australian families and businesses are not disadvantaged in terms of choice and price,” FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said in a statement.

“The questions and topics raised in the consultation paper highlight the complexity of the issue and demonstrates the Government has done its homework to ensure any future emissions standard is not a simplistic copy of an overseas standard but instead suited to Australia.”

Along with electric vehicle laggard Toyota, the FCAI has lobbied the Australian government to include loopholes in the fuel efficiency standard such as “super credits” and “off-cycle credits” that can obscure manufacturers’ true emissions.

“Teal” Independent Allegra Spender also critical of delayed standard

The independent Member for Wentworth Allegra Spender was also critical of today’s announcement saying it lacks detail and ambition.

“For too long, Australia has been a dumping ground for old, expensive, and polluting vehicles. Today’s welcome but overdue commitment to a fuel efficiency standard will give families access to a broader range of cleaner, cheaper, EVs – reducing fuel bills and emissions,” said Spender.

“But let’s be clear – Labor have been in government for almost a year and consulting on the EV Strategy for most of that time. Yet there’s no concrete proposal on what the standard will look like and how it compares to the ambitious action being taken in Europe and the US. Instead, we are left with yet another consultation.

“We don’t need more delay on efficiency standards – we need real action. Transport emissions are rising, and every day without a standard in place, Australian families are hurting because of sky high fuel prices. Every day, the queue of people who want to go electric but can’t access an EV gets longer,” she said.

Public submissions to Australia’s Fuel Efficiency Standard can be made here. Submissions can be made until May 31.