“For many years now, we’ve campaigned for Australia to join the US and Europe by introducing vehicle efficiency standards so car makers are incentivised to offer their best and most affordable electric options to Australians,” said Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Behyad Jafari.

“The government’s NVES model represents strong, ambitious standards that will send a clear signal to the global automotive industry: Australia now demands the same options in electric cars, vans and utes that you offer to the US and Europe.

“We know most Australian drivers are now interested in considering electric options, so more choice on the market will naturally drive greater take-up of EVs. Ultimately, these standards will mean all Australian consumers are paying lower fuel bills, breathe cleaner air and enjoying a greater choice of the latest and greatest in new cars.

“Thanks to these standards Australia will no longer be considered the global dumping ground for the world’s most inefficient vehicles.

“Importantly, these standards are robust and transparent, giving us a solid foundation from which to build in future years.

“I’m proud of the influential and constructive role EVC members have played in delivering today’s result.

“I congratulate the federal government for having the mettle to take this step forward after several of their predecessors promised but failed to introduce this important reform in the national interest.”

NVES factsheet – DITRDCA

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A majority of the High Court today ruled in favour of two Victorian drivers electric car drivers, Chris Vanderstock and Kath Davies, who argued Victoria’s road user charge was unconstitutional. It is expected the decision will prevent other states from pursuing plans to introduce road user charges on electric vehicles.

EVC chief executive Behyad Jafari said the High Court ruling would pave the way to better policy across the nation.

“There is nothing inherently wrong with road user charges, but they should never be calibrated to discourage the take up of electric vehicles,” Mr Jafari said.

“The electric vehicle industry warned the Victorian Government this policy was muddleheaded years ago, and the offer has always been on the table to work with the state on a more sensible approach.

“Any road user charge scheme should be national and we now look forward to working with the federal government on sensible road funding reform, without singling out  drivers who are trying to do the right thing.

“Any scheme should apply to all vehicles and should take into consideration the economic cost of emissions.

“Australia’s priority should be on boosting the transition to EVs and decarbonising our transport system. There is no need for Australia to be dependent on imported oil today.

“Road funding is also an important consideration for government, but we should approach issues in the right order.

“Allowing states to simply shake down EV owners for a bit of extra tax is a retrograde approach, and I’m very glad to see the High Court slamming the brakes on that today.”

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The overall width limit of trucks will increase from 2.50 to 2.55 metres, which will align with standards used by major supplier economies.

EVC chief executive Behyad Jafari said the electric vehicle industry has been calling for the change for several years. The EVC congratulates the government for working collaboratively with industry and other stakeholders to deliver this important change.

“Increasing the width limit of trucks brings Australia in line with major overseas markets, like the EU, which is vital if we want to increase the supply of electric trucks on our roads,” Mr Jafari said.

“Being out of step with international regulation has restricted the supply of electric trucks into Australia. Aligning these standards will make it simpler and cheaper for Australian operators to access electric trucks, while also improving productivity, freight efficiency and safety.

“Australia is dependent on trucks to deliver goods across our massive nation, meaning they make up around one-fifth of the country’s transport emissions. Having more electric trucks crossing the country will reduce transport emissions, improve air quality, cut the cost of freight and reduce operating costs for owners as we decrease our reliance on expensive, imported fuel.

“As the adoption of electric trucks accelerates around the world, it’s vital that Australia stops falling behind. Increasing the width limit is a great first step, but we need to keep the momentum going to support our country’s electrification of trucks.

“We encourage the federal government to build on this announcement by introducing a mass concession (one tonne minimum) for electric trucks, and making it cheaper and attractive for Australian businesses wanting to embrace this technology. More broadly, we need a National Electric Heavy Vehicle Strategy that outlines a plan to decarbonise our heavy vehicle fleet over the long haul.”

Click here for more information on ways Australia can accelerate electric truck uptake.

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The Minns Government’s unflagged backflip on EV incentives will crimp the spread of electric cars to Sydney’s west, deteriorate air quality, and significantly increase the state’s carbon emissions, according to the Electric Vehicle Council.

Reports today have confirmed NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey plans to scrap a $3000 subsidy and reintroduce stamp duty for drivers who buy a new electric vehicle.

The move comes as sales data shows that NSW’s incentives were working – encouraging EV purchases to spread from wealthier areas to the west and to NSW regions. Since the NSW rebates have been in place, sales have gone up by 450 per cent and the most popular EV models have fallen in price by $8,000.

EVC chief executive Behyad Jafari said that the government’s proposed move was a betrayal of voters.

“I doubt the people who voted for this government thought they were voting to cut electric vehicle incentives to fund handouts to coal-fired power stations,” Mr Jafari said.

“Labor backed these EV incentives when the former government introduced them, and did not give any indication they were planning to cut them before the election.

“The NSW incentives, combined with more affordable EV imports, were just starting to drive significant uptake in Sydney’s west and the state’s regions. Now the government wants to kill that momentum.

“Wealthy people on the north shore will be fine under this change – they’ll continue to buy EVs, because they know they’re a superior option. But less well-off families in the west will be forced to stick to costly gas guzzlers and a time when petrol prices are going through the roof.
“What’s particularly galling is the reintroduction of stamp duty that was due to be replaced by road user charges in 2027. This important tax reform was in the best interest of motorists by replacing an upfront tax that often stopped people from getting into a newer, cleaner car.
“By reintroducing stamp duty for EVs the NSW Government has broken faith with voters.

“Fewer EVs means dirtier Sydney air, continued reliance on foreign oil imports, higher carbon emissions, and more budget pressure on everyday households. It’s foolish, short-sighted policy from a government that people would have expected more from.”
Mr Jafari urged the NSW Parliament to reject Labor’s changes in order to preserve the benefits of the existing policy settings.

“NSW was making outstanding progress on EV uptake under the previous government and the current policies were voted for by the Coalition, the Greens, and Labor,” Mr Jafari said.

“The Opposition, the Greens and the others in the NSW Upper House should defend the state’s interests and oppose the government’s short-sighted backflip.”

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“We welcome this commitment between Australia and Indonesia to advance the development of an electric vehicle production ecosystem,” Mr Jafari said.

“It’s encouraging to see a shift towards positive leadership from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to develop Australia’s opportunities in the EV sector.

“Australia has remained in the slow lane with EV uptake and manufacturing for too long – the change in tone since the federal election has been felt right across the industry and clearly recognised by our global peers.

“Creating global partnerships, attracting international investment, and changing perceptions of Australia on the world stage are vital if we want to catch up with and lead the developed world with EVs.

“Collaborating with Indonesia is an exciting opportunity for our country to get involved in advanced EV battery production. It also shows that despite our international performance and reputation on EVs, countries in our region recognise our potential to shift gears and become an EV-manufacturing powerhouse that harnesses our rich resources and highly skilled workforce.

“But we can’t be leaders in EV manufacturing and new technology while we remain the world’s dirty car dumping ground. With the government now in the process of setting a new vehicle efficiency standard, it’s absolutely critical that this standard is mandatory and globally competitive for the sake of our environment, health and hip pockets.

“Research shows motorists can save up to $10,000 over a vehicle’s lifetime if a strong, effective, competitive standard is adopted in Australia.”

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“A well-designed new vehicle efficiency standard is crucial if we want to end Australia’s reputation as the dumping ground for dated, high-emission vehicles. A strong standard will let us catch up to the rest of the developed world where we can finally embrace greener, cheaper, more efficient cars,” Mr Jafari said.

“Sticking with the status quo would not only be environmentally destructive but also expensive. This research proves the simple truth, that a globally competitive efficiency standard for cars will save motorists money.

“Under a new vehicle efficiency standard, lower running costs and increased competition would drive a reduction in the overall cost of both electric and efficient internal combustion engine vehicles by up to thousands of dollars.

“It’s clear that a strong standard will improve the efficiency of new vehicles, increase the supply of electric vehicles, reduce CO2 emissions, bring health benefits by reducing air pollutants, and save motorists money. We encourage the federal government to build a compulsory, competitive efficiency standard so that Australians can reap these benefits as soon as possible.”

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Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Behyad Jafari said: “There’s a long road ahead for Australia to catch up with the rest of the world on electric vehicle policy, but this strategy can accelerate progress.

“It’s a relief that an Australian Government has finally committed to fuel efficiency standards, which have been operational in the US and Europe for decades. But with those jurisdictions now leaping forward in terms of ambition Australia must bring in strong standards that keep pace with the modern world. If we squib it on the detail Australia will remain the world’s dumping ground for dated, high-emission vehicles.

“Australia is lagging behind as one of the last developed countries without any fuel efficiency standards. From the US to Europe and across the ditch in New Zealand, strong fuel efficiency standards are providing drivers with more EV choice and reducing harmful emissions.

“Having fuel efficiency standards in Australia in line with global markets will save motorists hundreds of dollars on fuel each year and give them more affordable electric vehicles to choose from.

“If Australia is serious about developing a local EV value chain to secure our future prosperity, the first crucial step to secure investment is to demonstrate we have a strong local market for these products. This will only be possible through the introduction of a globally-competitive fuel efficiency standard that accelerates local adoption.

“We will be working closely with the government as it designs a fuel efficiency standard for passenger and light commercial vehicles. Australia has a bright and clean electric future just around the corner, but only if we get the policy settings right today.”

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The new US policy is to strengthen existing fuel efficiency standards to the point where 67 per cent of vehicles sold in America will be electric by 2032. Australia, by contrast, is one of the only developed nations on earth without any fuel efficiency standards whatsoever. 

Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Behyad Jafari warned that the US announcement put huge pressure on Australia to act fast. 

“This shift in position from the US is of monumental consequence to Australia,” Mr Jafari said. 

“Car companies will now be racing to meet the more stringent standards set in the US, Europe, China, and even New Zealand. If they continue to see Australia as the odd nation out, they will prioritise all other markets for their latest and best EVs. Australia will be dumped with their outdated gas guzzlers because it will be one of the only markets where there will be no consequences for doing so. 

“We know the federal government has been slowly working on a new EV policy. This move in the US means the buzzer has sounded. The time for talk is done, we know the action we need to take, so let’s introduce strong new fuel efficiency standards now. 

“The US decision is particularly relevant for Australia because the US is so similar to Australia in terms of driving culture. Its geography is broad and its culture of car ownership, especially larger vehicles, is strong. So if the US is able to move this decisively there is zero excuse for Australia not to follow suit. 

“If any lobby group wants to argue Australians can’t keep pace with Americans on the transition to EVs they should be laughed out of the room. 

“If the US hits its targets, it means the majority of American drivers will be saving some $1,300 a year in fuel costs. Right now, during a cost-of-living crisis, Australians are being required to push thousands of dollars through the petrol pump.

“The US first introduced fuel efficiency standards into law in the 1970s and has been strengthening them since then. In 2023, Australia has a discussion paper about them. It’s ridiculous.

“Australian drivers deserve the same range of EV choice, the same speed of EV delivery, and the same second-hand EV market as Americans and Europeans. We can have that but only if the federal government acts now.”

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The standards have had a significant impact on the NZ car market, with EV market share soaring from 4 per cent of new vehicle sales to 20 per cent in recent months.

This result comes despite intense lobbyist claims that Australians and New Zealanders would baulk at the reform. The new polling shows support for New Zealand’s fuel efficiency standards, named ‘Clean Car Standards,’ are popular across the political divide.

The Electric Vehicle Council has long called on the Australian Government to introduce fuel efficiency standards that have long been in place in the US, Europe, and, more recently, New Zealand.

The standards would mean that car manufacturers would be required not to exceed an emissions cap across the average of all new vehicles sold in a year. This encourages manufacturers to sell EVs, as well as more fuel efficient petrol and diesel models.

Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Behyad Jafari said the New Zealand polling underscored how easy and in fact popular it would be to introduce the standards in Australia.

“Australia is one of the last developed nations on earth not to introduce fuel efficiency standards and this polling shows the government has nothing to fear from quickly catching up,” Mr Jafari said.

“It’s easy for fossil fuel car lobbyists to claim Australians would dislike a policy when it’s all hypothetical. What the New Zealand experience proves is that once the standards are introduced, people embrace them.

“There was a scare campaign against fuel efficiency standards in New Zealand when they were introduced and it quickly disappeared once reality set in.

“The Australian Government should have introduced fuel efficiency standards many years ago. If this had happened we would have tens of thousands more EVs on the road and Australian drivers would not be waiting months, or years, to take delivery of their new electric vehicles.

“There is no reason to delay further. We need the federal government to announce strong fuel efficiency standards this year to help accelerate Australia’s transition to an electric fleet.

“If we don’t speed up the process today it puts Australia’s ability to meet its emissions reduction targets from transport out of reach, passing the burden on to farmers and manufacturers.”

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