The Climate Council (CC) has released a report we could be saving up to $1250 a year on petrol costs if we had the same fuel efficiency standards as other parts of the world.
According to the CC countries such as the US, China, the UK and Europe have had fuel efficiency standards in place for decades. The CC estimates if Australia had the same standards Aussies could be saving up to $720 on a new car or $1250 on a new ute or van.
“The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard aims to limit the pollution Australia’s cars release by setting a limit on the average annual emissions across a manufacturer’s new car sales,” the CC says.
Over time, the maximum amount of pollution allowed is reduced, which means car makers must offer Australians a wider range and more choice of new low and zero emissions vehicles. Fuel efficiency standards like this already cover over 85% of the world’s car markets.”
CC’s analysis shows improvements in the efficiency of new vehicles leads directly to shrinking fuel bills.
“The average new passenger car sold in Australia today uses 6.9 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres,” a CC report stated.
“This amounts to an annual petrol bill of almost $1460 for drivers of a new car. Driving the same distance and paying the same amount for petrol, this is almost $720 more than a European vehicle, and almost $570 more than an American or Chinese one.”
What do you think, should we adopt more stringent standards?