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Australia’s automotive industry delivers on emission reduction targets

The FCAI, the peak body for Australia’s automotive sector, has released the 2021 results of the industry led voluntary emissions standard.

The standard was established in 2020 in the absence of a Federally led and mandated emissions target for Australia’s transport sector.

The aim of the FCAI standard is for MA vehicles (passenger cars and light SUVs) to have, on average, CO2 emissions under 100g CO2 per kilometre and MC+NA vehicles (heavy SUVs and light commercial vehicles) under 145 gC02per kilometre by 2030.

The MA outcome for 2021 was an average of 146.5 grams (150 in 2020) of CO2 for every kilometre travelled and the MC+NA outcome was 212.5 grams (218 in 2020) of CO2 for every kilometre travelled. These results are set against a target of 150 grams CO2/km for MA and 193 CO2/km for MC+NA for 2021.

Today’s data provides an overall result for the passenger, SUV and light commercial automotive sector. The results for individual manufacturers will be released in early April.

FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said that these results demonstrate the automotive sector’s drive to innovate and adapt to the need to combat climate change.

“FCAI member companies are making significant advances in emissions reduction technology with every new model release in their efforts to lowering emissions and meeting the increasing customer demand for zero and low emission vehicles – from full electric through to hybrid and fuel-efficient internal combustion engines.

The FCAI reiterated its call for the Federal Government to mandate the scheme to reduce emissions in Australia’s transport sector.

“Clear and consistent policy direction on a national scale is critical for manufacturers to prioritize new low and zero emission powertrains for the Australian marketplace. We are reiterating our calls for government’s adoption of the FCAI voluntary emissions standard as part of its ambition to reduce emissions in Australia’s transport sector,” Mr Weber added.

This target should be technology agnostic to allow manufacturers to bring the full

range of low and zero emission innovation to the challenge.

“While our future is full electrification, our short-term pathway to achieving emissions reduction will encompass a range of technologies available. This includes hyper efficient internal combustion, plug in hybrid, hybrid and full battery electric options. Our message to Government is simple. You give us the target, we will give you the technology to get there,” Mr Weber said.