AADA Position

The AADA supports action on vehicle CO2 emissions and noxious emissions standards, but urges the Government to proceed in a way that does not constrain vehicle choice or push up car prices.

Background

The AADA also supports a CO2 vehicle standard but would urge the Government to work with the industry to implement a system which is fit for purpose for Australia. Australia is starting some way back from the rest of the world and a CO2 standard should not go too far too fast and increase the costs of new vehicles as this may have the effect of motorists holding onto older higher emitting and less safe cars for longer.

The Federal Government should prepare Australia for the emergence of low emissions vehicles by encouraging the development of charging infrastructure, helping industry prepare its workforce for these new technologies and addressing questions such as the impact of low emissions vehicles on the electricity grid.

The Government should also play a leadership role in promoting the uptake of these vehicles by taking measures to reduce the prices of low emissions vehicles, by removing inefficient taxes such as import tariffs and the luxury car tax.

It should also provide leadership to state governments who are all currently adopting different low emissions policies which is seeing a patchwork approach being adopted across Australia.