Raise your (fuel efficiency) standards, Australia!

Andrea Leong
May 26, 2023
2 min read

Australia and Russia are the only OECD countries without fuel efficiency standards for vehicles... but we might be about to leave this embarrassing group.

In April and May 2023, the Australian government invited submissions on the design of an Australian Fuel Efficiency Standard. About 2,700 submissions were received, overwhelmingly in support of introducing a standard.

Of course, the devil is in the detail, so we will be watching CleanerCars.gov.au for updates.

Download our submission:

Key points from RePlanet Australia's submission were:

Transport sector emissions account for 19% of Australia’s total emissions; therefore reducing transport emissions is an important part of decarbonisation. We urge the government to move swiftly—the greatest emissions savings are to be made by introducing fuel efficiency standards now.
Another important part of a coherent government strategy for reducing vehicle pollution is setting an end date for the sale of new fossil fueled vehicles. This will send a clear signal to the market that Australia is committed to transitioning towards a low-carbon future, and will encourage investment in new, cleaner technologies.
Australia’s fuel efficiency standards should be similar to other countries. This is important if we are to move away from the current situation in which intensely polluting vehicles are sold in Australia.
Cleaner vehicles will improve public health. Vehicle emissions are associated with an estimated 11,000 premature deaths and 19,000 hospitalisations per year.
Improving fuel efficiency will benefit the economy and promote national security. Reduced fuel costs will translate to cost savings for many Australian individuals and businesses, while reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels.

We hope this consultation has given the Australian government the assurance it needs that Australians want to phase out the most polluting cars.