The case for action: the economy-wide benefits of strong yet realistic vehicle emission standards for Australia

In July 2010, the Australian Government committed to introduce CO2e emissions standards for passenger and light commercial vehicles. If Australia is to meet its target for greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2020 and 2050, the transport sector – the second fastest growing source of domestic emissions – will need to make a significant contribution. The Australian new light vehicle fleet has improved its efficiency by 20 per cent since 2002 while new car prices have fallen relatively in this time. However, at 199 gCO2e/km the Australian new light vehicle fleet is still far less efficient than the majority of other markets in developed countries. ClimateWorks Australia partnered with Rare Consulting to analyse the opportunities to improve the fuel efficiency of light vehicles in Australia. Our analysis found that strong vehicle emissions standards, coupled with targeted complementary measures, has the potential to deliver a broad range of benefits; financial savings for vehicle owners, improved energy security, and least cost emissions reductions. By choosing a strong trajectory for improving vehicle emissions,, equivalent to European standards with a 4 year lag, our analysis finds that motorists derive substantial benefit, with total fuel savings of A$7.9 billion per year by 2024, or A$850 per year for the average driver. Improving the efficiency of cars and light commercial vehicles also represents the lowest cost opportunity to reduce emissions available across our economy, while delivering substantial abatement – 8.7 MtCO2e in 2024. Reducing fuel use also reduces Australia’s dependence on imported oil, improving energy security. To achieve this in Australia, a partnership approach is considered necessary to ensure robust solutions are developed to overcome current inertia in the industry.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.atrf.info/papers/2013/index.aspx
• Authors:
  • Argyriou, M
  • Ferraro, S
• Conference:
  • Australasian Transport Research Forum (ATRF), 36th, 2013, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
• Publication Date: 2013-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 21p
• Monograph Title: Transport and the new world city: 36th Australasian Transport Research Forum (ATRF), October 2nd-4th 2013, Brisbane

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air quality management; Carbon dioxide; Environment; Exhaust gases; Fuel consumption; Greenhouse gases; Policy; Regulations
• Uncontrolled Terms: Vehicle Regulations
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• ATRI Terms: Carbon dioxide equivalent; Emissions control; Environment; Fuel consumption; Policy; Vehicle emissions; Vehicle regulations
• Subject Areas: Law; Policy; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01503304
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Jan 6 2014 10:57AM