MG becomes latest big car maker to back vehicle efficiency standard

MG Motor Australia has joined other carmakers in publicly stating its support for the federal government’s proposed New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).

The company is the latest in a string of car makers to publicly support the federal government’s preferred Option B, after the fossil car lobby launched a misinformation campaign claiming that car prices would go up under the NVES.

In a press release issued on Friday, MG said it is fully committed to working with the Government and wider industry to ensure Australian road users can access a wide range of affordable low and zero emission vehicles.

“With majority of the international car market already covered by fuel efficiency standards, we are fully supportive of Australia’s move to help provide consumers with cleaner and more affordable cars to own and run,” said MG Motor Australia Chief Operating Officer, Peter Ciao.

“The standard is a win for customers with rising costs of living and a win for our extensive dealer network who can do their bit to reduce emissions in their local communities in line with Australia’s commitment to decarbonise,” said Mr Ciao.

Launched in May last year, the MG4 was the first sub $40,000 EV to hit the Australian market.

“MG is committed to providing fuel efficient motoring to all Australians’ with our clean energy vehicles. We are introducing and evolving our range to offer at least one EV and or Hybrid variant within our range beginning with the all new MG3 hybrid arriving soon,” the company said.

“We know that change is never easy and it took a lot of initiative from the Government to make such a move but we also know that having a strong fuel efficiency standard will not only help reduce household costs but also provide healthier neighbourhoods.”

Growing support for NVES sees FCAI and fossil car makers isolated

Last week Tesla spectacularly quite the lobby group over its claims on the new standard.

“Over the past three weeks, Tesla considers that the FCAI has repeatedly made claims that are demonstrably false,” said Tesla in a statement last week.

The electric vehicle giant also referred the FCAI to Australia’s consumer watchdog, the ACCC, for making the false claims around future pricing.

The following day Polestar followed Tesla’s lead also cancelling its membership with the FCAI saying “Such a campaign is not aligned with Polestar’s focus, and we cannot support it.”

Then after flagging its concerns, Volkswagen Group Australia quit the car lobby’s policy committee. “Volkswagen Group Australia speaks for itself on public and policy matters including the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard,” the company said in a statement. “A strong (standard) is in the best interests of this country.”

The false claims about looming price hikes were parroted by mainstream television, radio and newspaper media outlets seeding the disinformation into the public discourse and damaging the perception of one of Australia’s most important pollution reducing policies.