The Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership, Australia’s largest local government climate program, has released a major appeal to the Australian Federal Government, signed by 120 council elected officials, to boost the nation’s supply of reasonably priced electric vehicles (EVs).
In a joint statement, 120 mayors and council members from Sydney to the Swan Valley are urging the federal government to legislate fuel efficiency standards.
Government officials are particularly calling for the implementation of fuel efficiency standards that are mandatory and deliver at least equivalent settings to those in other major markets.
Additionally, they are pleading with the government to provide Australian drivers more affordable options than they currently have.
Support is also needed to ensure that 100 per cent of new vehicles sold in Australia have zero emissions as soon as possible.
Officials emphasised that these proposed standards must be reviewed and updated approximately every five years.
“Vehicle manufacturers send their cleanest vehicles to countries that demand low and zero emissions vehicles through effective fuel efficiency standards,” said Shane Rattenbur, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, ACT Government.
Rattenbur continued, “For too long, Australia has been left with less efficient and more polluting vehicles, which limits the choices Australians have when purchasing a new car.”
The minister highlighted the need to establish national vehicle fuel efficiency standards to ensure that the country has the cleanest cars on our roads.
He pointed out that setting robust fuel economy requirements is critical for attaining the country’s emissions reduction targets and making more inexpensive electric vehicles available to Australians.
Meanwhile, Dr Jennifer Rayner, head of advocacy at the Climate Council, said local governments are doing their best to speed up the transition to EVs, but she pointed out their hands are restricted by exorbitant costs, which is why the council is taking their calls for more affordable solutions to the federal level.
“Among the Cities Power Partnership’s 180 members, three-quarters have at least one EV in their fleets, but many are keen to go entirely electric. Cheaper EVs will be the key to this,” noted Rayner.
The council official continued, “For communities to reap the benefits of cleaner, cheaper-to-run vehicles, it is essential the Federal Government implements fuel efficiency standards to supercharge our EV supply.”
