The Electric Vehicle Council has applauded the Australian federal government for propelling the nation into the international mainstream by initiating New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES), promising enhanced options and reduced fuel expenses for Australian drivers.
In a news release, the council said NVES encourages car manufacturers to ensure that, on average, all new vehicles they sell meet efficiency benchmarks.
While manufacturers can still sell vehicles with substantial emissions, they must balance these with sales of low or zero-emission vehicles, the council noted.
These standards have already granted drivers in North America and Europe maximum choices, including access to the best and most efficient new vehicles globally.
Notably, Australian cars use a third more petrol on average than their American counterparts, the council reported.
“Because previous federal governments failed to introduce New Vehicle Efficiency Standards, some car manufacturers have treated Australia as a dumping ground for their most inefficient models,” stated EVC Chief Executive Behyad Jafari.
He further added, “This announcement from the federal government, when legislated, will give Australians a greater choice for the cars they want and put money back in their pockets through lower fuel bills.”
“Within a few short years it will mean the average family will not have to spend as much on imported petrol, which we know is hugely volatile on price,” Jafari remarked.
With Australia aligning itself with the US and Europe, he emphasised that car manufacturers would now be motivated to offer Australians their finest zero and low-emission vehicles, providing motorists with much better options while retaining the freedom to choose
“Right now Australia is one of only two developed countries without new vehicle efficiency standards. Very soon, Russia should be on its own,” Jafari concluded.
